BALDWIN — Following the election of Baldwin Police Chief Chad Nichols as sheriff of Rabun County on Tuesday, the city police department has a new leader.
Following closed session during Thursday night's Baldwin City Council work session, Assistant Chief Charles Webb was promoted to interim police chief, effective immediately.
"I'm going to do the best job that I can," Webb said in an interview with Access WDUN following the announcement. "I've got big shoes to fill from Chief Nichols. I learned a lot from him and I'm just going to try to keep the department going in the positive direction he sent it in the past two and a half years."
Baldwin Mayor Jerry Neace said Nichols has concluded his service to the city.
"He's gone now to sheriff school, and he will not be back to the City of Baldwin," Neace said. "He'll have to fulfill some duties for the transition of that office in Rabun County."
That left the city's law enforcement division without a department head.
"So we need somebody right now to lead our department," Neace said. "Chad did a great job, was probably one of the best chiefs that Baldwin Police Department ever had. He really made a lot of good changes in his two years here, almost three. I applaud him for that. My gratitude for him is beyond words. He just did a lot to help the city, and he treated our citizens fairly."
Neace is equally confident in Webb's ability to run the department and keep it on track in the days and months to come.
"Charley has been instrumental in getting our state certification underway," Neace said. "We'll hopefully have that taken care of at the beginning of next year, if not sooner. Charley has the respect not only of the council but of all the police officers at the police department. He has my utmost respect, and that's one reason why I recommended him be our interim chief. He treats everybody fairly and equitably. He does not play favorites. He is firm, but fair, and will be a great, great addition to the city administration and will make a great chief for Baldwin Police Department."
Webb said the department is at full staff.
