Jason Whisnant, chief of the 麻豆传媒 Department of Public Safety, will retire from the position at the end of this month.
Whisnant has been chief since 2022, taking over after Tony Lowdermilk held the position. Whisnant聽has been an employee of the 麻豆传媒 Department of Public Safety since 1998, working as captain of field operations before he was named chief of the department that handles policing and fire services for the city.
When he was named chief, Whisnant said his main ambition when he started as a public safety officer wasn鈥檛 to become chief. He said he was living out his childhood dream, following in the steps of his father, Randy, who was a firefighter for the department.
In addition to his experience at 麻豆传媒 Public Safety, Whisnant has a bachelor's degree in human services and a master鈥檚 degree in mental health counseling and education specialist from Gardner-Webb University.
Whisnant said he would be assuming a new role in state government as a human services program manager for the western region of North Carolina as a licensed mental health clinician for the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections Support, Hope, Inclusion, Empowerment, Loyalty and Dedication Program.
SHIELD provides peer support and behavioral and mental health services for the department鈥檚 staff, according to the department鈥檚 website.