Danny Bates has been named Franklin’s interim police chief.
Bates has lived in Macon County for his entire life. He graduated from Franklin High School and Southwestern Community College, where he earned his associate of applied science degree in criminal justice.
He has served with the Franklin Police Department since 1993 as a police officer, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Bates is credited with establishing the department’s Be A Responsible Seller/Server program through the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
Bates will be taking over for outgoing police chief David Adams, who is leaving on Friday, Feb. 14 to accept a position as chief of police in Waynesville. Adams’ departure coincides with the retirement of FPD captain Stephen Apel.
Town manager Summer Woodard said she is confident that Bates’ decades of experience will serve to steady the ship.
“We’ve had some interesting changes in these last couple of weeks,” Woodard said. “But we have with us a gentleman who has been with the Franklin police department for 20-plus years and has served in many different capacities.”
Woodard recommended Bates to the town council, and at its Feb. 3 meeting council members unanimously voted to approve the hiring on the grounds that Bates had demonstrated a long-lasting commitment to keeping the town safe
“I would just like to say thank you to Danny for all the years he’s given the town and the job he’s done,” vice mayor Barbara McRae said.
Bates looks forward to expanding his role in the police department. He feels that he’ll have some big shoes to fill when Adams leaves, but he’s confident his passion for the Franklin community will help him to hold down the fort.
“I would like to say thank you to the board and the town manager for their support and consideration,” Bates said. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve each and every one of you and work with you and serve the community. I’d also like to say thank you to chief Adams. While he’s been here, he’s been very supportive of the PD as well as me and the other officers. We appreciate that.”
Woodard estimated that the process of selecting a permanent police chief will take at least 90 days.