Thompson named assistant police chief
Photo By Tevin Stinson
City council member Denise D. Adams congratulates Catrina Thompson with a hug during a promotion ceremony held Friday, Jan. 8 at the Home and Garden Building of the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. Thompson was promoted to assistant chief during the ceremony.
By Tevin Stinson
The Chronicle
The city of Winston-Salem has a new assistant police chief.
After 22 years of hard work and dedication to the police department, Catrina Thompson assumed her duties on Monday, Jan. 4 and was honored during a promotion ceremony held last Friday.
“I will still be out there,” said Thompson.
The wife and mother of two said she is excited and honored to serve the citizens as assistant chief.
Before being presented to her peers and family members by Chief Rountree at the ceremony, Thompson told The Chronicle, “I truly feel blessed to work with some of the most professional law enforcement officers in the nation.”
During her tenure with the WSPD, Thompson has served in the Patrol Division, Recruiting, Training Division, and Criminal Investigations Division. As assistant chief Thompson will oversee the Investigative Services Bureau, which includes the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Investigations Division.
“As captain I was over the Criminal Investigation Division,” she said. “But as chief I will oversee two divisions instead of just one.”
Thompson also serves as the president of the Mental Health Association of Forsyth County and is a member of Leadership Winston-Salem Class of 2016.
While making her way up the ranks of the department and balancing a busy schedule, Thompson has been a familiar presence at community meetings held throughout the city. On multiple occasions she has mentioned that the police can’t do their jobs without the help of the community.
“We have to work together,” she said. “That’s why I try to communicate with the people in the community as much as possible – to build that relationship.”
Although her duties have changed the newly-appointed assistant chief said she will continue to attend community meetings when she can and encourage other officers to do so as well.
“My main concern is always the safety and well-being of our community,” said Thompson. “I hold a different title, but my role is still to make sure we are working together to make this city a safe place for everyone.”
