Councilmember moves to rename Whiteville police second-in-command position; vote not recorded

Whiteville Police Chief Craig White Clark recommended the city rename a second-in-command position in the police department from "major" to "deputy chief," saying the deputy-chief title conveys greater authority. Councilmember Clary moved to change the job title; a second was recorded, but the transcript does not contain a formal vote tally.

Chief White Clark told the council the department reviews qualifications quarterly and that staff recommended the change to better reflect duties. "The reason being is deputy chief kinda holds a significance in the busy world. It kinda gives that person the ability to say, hey, look. I may not be the chief of the police department, but I essentially do all the duties of the chief," White Clark said.

The council recorded a motion by Councilmember Clary "to change the job title modification to from Baker to chief deputy in the White Police Department." The transcript records a second but does not show who seconded the motion or the recorded vote. Later remarks thanked the deputy chief for service, suggesting acknowledgment of the position, but no formal adoption language or vote tally appears in the meeting record.

No ordinance number, personnel policy change reference, or effective date was recorded in the transcript. The transcript shows the recognition segment, the recommendation from the chief, and the motion, but does not include documentation of a final personnel action in the meeting minutes as presented.