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Wesley Waters, former Captain of Criminal Investigations with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, is Belhaven’s newest Police Chief, the Town of Belhaven announced on Monday, April, 1.

Waters’s employment with police department begins Monday, April 15.

His career in law enforcement started in Belhaven as a police officer before moving on to Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. He brings with him 22 years of experience, insight and leadership.

“I look forward to bringing my experience to serve my home town of Belhaven where I am committed to continue building a strong relationship between the citizens of Belhaven and the Police Department. Under my leadership, the police department will be dedicated to serving the community through crime prevention and community policing as well as investigating criminal complaints,” Waters stated in a press release from the Town of Belhaven.

As Chief of Police, Waters’ will “prioritize the safety and well-being of all residents, foster trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community and lead the department with vision and integrity,” the town shared.

Belhaven Mayor, Ricky Credle, said the town is “confident in the direction Waters will lead our police department, ensuring continued safety and protection for all of the citizens of Belhaven.”

Waters, a Belhaven native, served as Captain of Criminal Investigations for Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department. The Criminal Investigations Divisions investigates  homicides, robbery, assaults, sexual assaults, kidnapping, larceny, burglary, breaking and entering, arson, fraud, forgery, embezzlement and extortion. The division investigates these incidents and works to recover property and evidence and process crime scenes. The Crime Scene Unit collects, preserves and examines physical evidence  recovered at crime scenes, according to the Sheriff’s Office website.

On Monday, Sheriff Scott Hammonds announced that former Belhaven Police Chief Chris Kelly was sworn in as a deputy with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. He will be a school resource officer.