Longtime Officer Tackles New Assignment: Chief

Gregg Jarvies, 46, has served the Chapel Hill Police Department for 25 years and was sworn in by Mayor Rosemary Waldorf during the 2 p.m. ceremony Tuesday.

He became interim police chief in April 2000, after Chief Ralph Pendergraph retired.

With his family in the front row, Jarvies spoke about what it means to be one of Chapel Hill's finest.

"It is special to be an officer in Chapel Hill," he said.

"Our primary responsibility is to treat everyone fairly."

Jarvies also complimented his staff of officers as outstanding employees.

The public ceremony was attended by Town Manager Cal Horton, former Police Chiefs Ralph Pendergraph and Arnold Gold, various Chapel Hill police officers and other members of the Chapel Hill Police Department.

Jarvies said he is looking forward to the challenges ahead and named town growth as the primary challenge for the police department.

"The biggest challenge will not only be to build on what's been left, but also to grow," he said.

In regard to a full staff, Jarvies said this is the first time in many years the force will be at full strength.

Jarvies also said he wants to continue to concentrate on young people.

"We need to focus on juvenile issues as well as our relationship with the school systems," he said.

Jarvies gave credit to his predecessors for helping make his transition to interim police chief easier.

"I have gotten a lot of guidance from former Police Chiefs Ralph Pendergraph and Arnold Gold," he said. "I have picked up the phone for advice several times; it is very comforting."

Pendergraph emphasized the difficulty surrounding the duties of a police chief.

"It is a tough job," Pendergraph said. "You give up a lot of personal time and Gregg understands this. Plus, he is backed by a strong family."

Jarvies graduated from UNC with a degree in criminal justice in 1979 and attained a master of public administration degree from N.C. State University in 1996.

Jarvies began his service with the Chapel Hill Police Department in 1975. In 1985, Jarvies was promoted to lieutenant and served as the department's training officer.

In 1986, he was promoted to captain and assigned as the uniform patrol commander, where he served until 1993.

Jarvies was support services commander from 1993 to 1999 and was promoted to police major in 1999, where he won the George C. Franklin Award as the best student in the program.

"(Jarvies) has done almost everything there is to do, he has a variety of experience, he knows people, he is very intelligent, is fair with people and is kind and sensitive," Waldorf said.

"Chapel Hill is very lucky."

The City Editor can be reached

at citydesk@unc.edu.