Salisbury Police Chief Rory Collins announced eight new recent promotions, which he said are all part of the “strategic restructuring” implemented by the department.
The strategies are designed to “accomplish multiple goals and initiatives, all of which are intended to enable our agency to improve the quality of life and build upon trust and relationships with our citizens,” he said.
The announcement comes a day after Collins announced plans for a police substation in the West End community, which has been plagued with crime and gun violence.
The promotions are as follows:
• Tom Wilsey was promoted to the rank of captain and will serve as the department’s new Patrol Operations Division commander. Wilsey joined the department in 1997 and has served as a patrol officer, detective, training sergeant and commander of the Charlie Team Patrol.
Wilsey is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Catawba College as well as a Master’s Degree in business administration from Pfeiffer University. Wilsey, a 2002 and 2005 winner of the agency’s Officer of the Year award, also earned his Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Jason Robertson was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will serve as commander of David Team Patrol. Robertson joined the department in 2000 and has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, assistant team leader, and patrol sergeant. Robertson earned his Associate Degree in criminal justice technology from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and has been awarded the Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Jeffrey Wilkerson was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will serve as the commander of Charlie Team Patrol. Wilkerson joined the department in 1996 and has served as a patrol officer, K-9 handler, Gang Unit officer, drug investigator, and as a patrol sergeant. Wilkerson is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice and holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Joe Miller was promoted to the rank of lieutenant of Adam Team Patrol. Miller joined the department as a telecommunicator in 1998. After becoming a certified law enforcement officer, he has served the department as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic safety officer, recruitment division sergeant, and patrol sergeant. Miller, a 2008 winner of the agency’s Officer of the Year award, has also earned his Associate Degree from Stanly Community College. Miller also holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Corey Brooks is promoted to the rank of sergeant of Adam Team Patrol. Brooks joined the department in 2001 and has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, and corporal. He also continues to serve the department as a coordinator for the youth Police Athletic League. Brooks earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Livingstone College and has also been awarded the Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Patrick Smith was promoted to the rank of sergeant of David Team Patrol. Smith’s law enforcement career began in 2005, and he has served as patrol officer, Downtown officer, and has been a detective in Criminal Investigations for the past five years. Smith is actively pursuing his Associate’s Degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College and currently holds an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Travis Shulenburger was promoted to the rank of sergeant of Charlie Team Patrol. Shulenburger joined the department in 2004 and has served as a patrol officer and detective in Criminal Investigations. Shulenburger is also an active member of the agency’s Special Response Team. Shulenburger, a 2011 winner of the agency’s Officer of the Year award, also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Shulenburger also holds an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
• Michael Colvin is promoted to the rank of sergeant of the department’s newest Street Crimes Unit, also known as the “P.I.T. Team”. Colvin joined the department in 1996 after having first served four years with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Colvin is a veteran of the United States Army, where he served in the Military Police Corp as both an officer and supervisor. During his tenure with the Police Department, he has served as a patrol officer, a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, and as a Narcotics Investigator. Colvin is also an active member of the agency’s Special Response Team and has been awarded the Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
In addition to these promotions and position assignments, Collins has also been able to fill retirement vacancies on the department’s leadership team, are all part of the new structure of the police department, the statement said.
“Though, our efforts will remain ongoing, with much to be done, these initiatives have already begun to produce results, with additional patrol presence within neighborhoods with higher crime activity and the increased staffing and coverage by our Street Crimes Unit. The efforts have also resulted in getting more guns and drugs off the street, as well as the implementation of youth-related programs by our department’s Youth Crime Prevention Officer, and other officers, who are working to engage youth in positive programs that are designed to steer them in the right direction,” he said.
Collins said he’s excited to work with the men and women of the department’s leadership team.
“Each bring a unique set of skills to their position and are also eager to continue their own professional development as they provide solid leadership within our agency. With our new leadership team in place, I am confident that our citizens will benefit from an enhanced level of service, professionalism, and accountability,” Collins said.
The Salisbury Police Department has been internationally accredited for 24 consecutive years and has a total of 81 sworn police officer positions. The department currently has only one vacancy within its sworn positions, with five newly hired officers proceeding through the field training process.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.