Lenoir City council unanimously confirms Jonathan Bryant as next police chief

Lenoir City Council on a unanimous vote confirmed Jonathan Bryant as the city’s next chief of police, accepting the personnel committee’s recommendation and approving a transition plan that keeps current staffing and payroll intact during handover.

The council approved the appointment after hearing from personnel committee members and from Chief Don White, who said the department had planned for a “smooth transition” and recommended Bryant ‘‘based on his resume’’ and experience. Council members said Bryant’s ties to the community and law-enforcement background made him a strong candidate.

The confirmation followed a motion to appoint Bryant and a second; council members voted aye on the roll call. Council discussion addressed pay and timing: staff said the budget includes funds to cover both chiefs’ salaries during the transition period. Chief White indicated he expects the incoming chief to begin in July and said he plans to retire about a month later in August, while Bryant confirmed his readiness to assume the role.

Jonathan Bryant addressed the council and public after the vote, thanking Mayor Akins and the council for their support and saying he is “humbled, excited, and committed” to lead the Lenoir City Police Department. He pledged to work collaboratively with council, staff and community stakeholders and cited succession planning and continuity as key goals.

Council members pressed on transition logistics. One council member asked whether the city would be paying two chief salaries simultaneously; staff replied the budget contains funding for that overlap and that it is consistent with past transitional arrangements for other senior positions. Another council member asked about the willingness of current assistant chiefs to remain; Chief White said his assistant chief has indicated he plans to continue serving and has no immediate plans to retire.

The council took the action during its consideration of a personnel committee recommendation regarding the pending police chief vacancy, following a recommendation from the personnel committee that was described on the record as unanimous.

The vote ends a succession planning process the council and administration said began more than a year ago. No dissenting votes were recorded.

The council did not set a formal effective date for Bryant’s badge ceremony on the record; officials said the operational transition would begin in July, with White’s retirement expected in August.