McKenzie named new WPD Chief

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

Abraham McKenzie was formally hired as the new Waynesboro Chief of 
Police during Tuesday night's meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

After a 30-minute closed session to discuss the matter, Board members 
voted by a 3-2 margin to hire McKenzie to permanently fill the position 
held for the past eight years by Holt Ross. Alderwoman Tammie Wilson and 
Alderman Jerry Hutto voted against the motion.

"I hope this will put the public at ease somewhat," Mayor Scott Frost 
said. "I want everyone to know that despite the split vote, this entire 
Board has pledged to five its full support to the new chief.

"I also want to tip my hat to the Board for coming together to reach a 
decision in the timetable that we set out."

McKenzie brings 23-1/2 years of law enforcement to the position.

He has spent his career with the Jones County Sheriff's Department and 
the Laurel Police Department. During his tenure, he has served as a 
criminal investigator, juvenile investigator, SWAT Team Leader, Sniper 
Team Leader and as a law enforcement instructor, among other roles.

He is married and has three children of college age. The new chief said 
working quickly to put his systems into place will be a priority.

"First off, we want to make sure we get fully staffed," McKenzie said. 
"We want to protect the community and give the public a sense of 
security in their communities."

He added that critical areas will be addressed first and foremost.

"I always say that you put the medicine where the pain is," he said. 
"That means we will work on those areas that are most needing to be 
addressed.

"Of course, that will take both law enforcement and the citizens working 
together in order to make that happen."