Jim Fair
Captain Matt Hamby, promoted last week, is second in command behind Chief Dan Reynolds at the Greer Police Department.
Hamby fills the vacancy created when Captain Jolene Vancil retired after 23 years (1991-2014) of service.
Among Hamby’s duties will be to fill in for Reynolds when he is absent, oversee operational support and handling special projects for the chief, making sure the department conducts itself in the highest professional standards and that the citizens follow the law.
“It’s going to be different because I will have to change my view on the entire department,” Hamby said. “It will be even more so with the department’s best interests.”
But Hamby said it will be business as usual. The visual difference will be a second bar added to Hamby’s collar designating him a captain.
Mayor Rick Danner said Hamby is a perfect fit for the job. “He’s very open and will work to stretch that department. He could be capable to take over this department or another if that would be the case.”
Perry Bowens, a Student Resource Officer at Greer High School, said, “When Matt first started with the department he came from USC. He’s been nothing but professional. If I have a question and need to know the answer, he will have or knows where to get the answer.”
Hamby has been with the department 20 years and rose through the ranks. “He earned a master’s degree and has excellent knowledge of the processes of this department,” Reynolds said.
Hamby was hired as a patrol officer in 1993, moved up to one of the four traffic units where he was promoted as a sergeant of the patrol shift and in 2001 was promoted as lieutenant running the investigative unit. He was transferred to support services. Hamby also attended the FBI Academy.
“Thirteen years as a Lieutenant was a long preparation period,” said Hamby.
Hamby earned his master’s at the Command College of South Carolina at Anderson University. The curriculum teaches criminal justice professionals and managers for executive-level positions. Lieutenants Eric Pressley and Chris Varner also attended the South of Criminal Justice program.
There were in-house lieutenants that applied for the job. That, Hamby said, is a tribute to the quality of the staff. “I feel so comfortable with our staff. We are so top-notch and a very good department.
“The city is totally invested with its employees. Our officers are given an opportunity to have the best training in the country. The results are the best-trained force that we’ve ever had. It’s allowed the supervisors and managers to really grow.”
Bowens said the department is a reflection of its leaders. “The way (Hamby) carries himself is so professional. He’s just a good person,” Bowens said.
Reynolds said the candidates for lieutenant will undergo an assessment to determine the best qualified to fill Hamby’s position. “The next position for lieutenant will require an Associates of Arts degree with a preference of a B.A.," Reynolds said.