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WARSAW — There has been a change in leadership at the Warsaw Police Department, though town officials have been largely silent about it. Police Chief Patrick Giddeons recently resigned from his position, but the town has not made a formal announcement regarding his departure.
Last week at the June town board meeting, Town Manager Lea Turner introduced Stephen Faircloth as the new interim police chief. When asked about Giddeons, Turner told Duplin Journal, “he resigned.” Mayor A.J. Connors shared that he resigned about a month ago.
“Mr. Giddeons decided to resign and to seek other employment,” said Connors on Friday. “I think he was with the Warsaw Police Department for about 10 years plus.”
Turner did not respond to voicemails or emails asking for clarification.
While details surrounding Giddeons’ resignation remain unclear, the decision came about a month after he acknowledged ongoing criticism of the police department. He expressed that some of this criticism was unfair, emphasizing the dedication and hard work of his officers despite unseen efforts and staffing shortages.
“These people are working really hard for all of you. You may not see it, but I want you to have some faith,” said Giddeons to the board at the April town board meeting. “There ain’t a long line of y’all waiting to do this job… If you want to take up arms with my brothers and sisters and do this dangerous job, I welcome it.”
According to state records, Giddeons has been in law enforcement since 2001 and joined the Warsaw Police Department in 2014. He could not be reached for comment. Faircloth was appointed interim chief on June 1. Faircloth began his law enforcement career in 2007 and has been with the Warsaw Police Department since 2018.
