He was named chief after a grueling process which included law enforcement leaders from more than 20 different agencies as far away as Elizabeth City and Edenton and as close by as Roanoke Rapids and Weldon along with input from the county.

“I was pleased to hear I got the job as chief,” he said today, driving through the 1.2 square-miles which make up the town.

Although prior to being hired as a captain he took a hiatus from the profession, he kept his certification up and took mandatory training classes. “My heart was in law enforcement and life didn't feel correct until I got back in the field I love.”

A Weldon native now living in Enfield for the past eight years, Davis said he wanted the chief's job because, “I feel as a citizen, I have an iron in that fire. I saw an opportunity to help the community. The decision I made was because I want the best for our community and to do it fairly, firmly and equally.”

He explained in a statement on his hiring, “If you are breaking the law you will no longer come to Enfield and do as you please. We will enforce the laws of the Constitution, the state of North Carolina and the ordinances of the city of Enfield fairy and equally, but firmly. It does not matter who you know, your demographic, financial or economic status. You will not get a free pass.”

Currently operating four officers short, the town is actively recruiting officers. Davis said the department is looking for officers who will be invested in a strengthened community policing effort. “We're going to do what we can to make Enfield more appealing.”

The positive aspects of the town include the support of board members and the mayor, he said. “We have good people and a deep history. A lot of the community is on our side. We have to get involved in the community and work with Crimestoppers.”

In his statement, Davis said, “The Enfield Police Department will work and communicate better with our citizens to ensure that we are addressing, meeting and exceeding all the needs as well as the expectations for the citizens of Enfield.”

Said Davis: “This can only be accomplished through trusting, communicating and partnering with each other to identify and tackle the source of the problems. I believe that a community that communicates with its police department is a safer and more informed community.”

The bad aspect, he said, is the reputation the town has gained for crime. “The one thing we need is more development, more commerce.”

Much of the crime problems in the past have come from beef different neighborhoods have with one another. “It's really not any more or any less than anywhere else with drugs and gangs.”

Officers will be going through gang training as well as diversity training, he said. “We are going to get more involved with the faith community.”

Growing up in Weldon and looking up to officers like Andrew Pittman and Roosevelt Green, Davis said, “I wanted to be in a position to make a positive impact on my community. With 1.2 square-miles we should be able to work an entire community.”

As he looks at his policies, he said in his statement, “We will identify the strategies that are currently working and continue building off those practices. It's imperative that as a department we also identify the strategies that are not working and either modify or terminate those strategies.”

The safety of citizens and officers will be one of his main concerns. “To ensure that we are taking the necessary steps to achieve this goal we must be more proactive, visible and vigilant.”