A new era has begun in Claremont as the City is excited to announce its new Police Chief. The City has tapped Deputy Chief Gary Bost to assume the post vacated by longtime Chief Tolbert. Gary has been a member of the department since 1995 and has excelled in every position he has held since that time. Most recently in November of 2012 Gary was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief which is the second highest rank in the department and is responsible for the day to day operations of all department divisions. However Bost has held the positions of patrol officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. Gary brings a depth of knowledge of the community and policing to the post as Chief. He holds a B.L.E.T. certification from Mitchell Community College, and an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Training Standards Commission.

“Gary has dedicated his service to our City and has climbed through the ranks and worked hard to earn the right to lead our police department as its next chief”, said Mayor David Morrow. He went on to say “Deputy Chief Bost has built solid relationships in Claremont and has worked hard to prepare himself for this position”. “At this time we feel that with such a strong internal candidate and the confidence that we have in Deputy Chief Bost that a national search would be forgone”, stated City Manager Doug Barrick.

Gary Bost said “I’m so excited to be opening another chapter in my book of life, but very humble for the opportunity to lead the Police Department into the future”. He continued to say “After working with Gerald Tolbert who retired after 30 years as Chief of Police.  I have some very big shoes to fill, but I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

The department consists of 8 full time sworn officers, 1 records clerk, 14 part time officers and 2 auxiliary police, serving the population and businesses of Claremont.

Lieutenant Allen Long will be assuming the duties vacated by the Deputy Chief position and the department will be looking to fill a vacant patrol position in the coming budget year. “This is a great time for our Police Department” said City Manager Doug Barrick, “we a have a very talented group of officers and this provides us a way to reward these officers with the opportunity to advance within the Department”.

Fire Chief Gary Sigmon after a total of 38 years in local government, 20 of which has been spent in his current role as Claremont’s Fire Chief has announced his plans to retire effective June 30, 2013. Chief Sigmon has been a member of the fire department for the past 27 years. He began his service to the department as a volunteer firefighter and grew through the ranks holding the positions of lieutenant and captain. Then in 1993 he was voted by the membership to hold his current title as Fire Chief.  Chief Sigmon began his local government career at the age of 17 with Catawba County and spent 15 years with the County in the building and grounds department. Gary held various roles in the department but left the County holding the title of buildings & grounds Supervisor. He then transitioned to the City of Newton in 1991 and held the rank of Engineer with the Fire Department. Then in 1995 Chief Sigmon took on the full time duties as the City’s first salaried Fire Chief. In addition to his fire service, Gary has also been a reserve Sheriff’s Deputy with the Catawba County Sheriff since 1977.

Under Chief Sigmon’s leadership the department has seen many successes during his tenure as Chief. These include the construction of a new fire station, delivery of all of the current fire apparatus including the recent purchase of the department’s first ladder truck. Chief Sigmon has also been very active in landing grants for the department. These have included the purchase of a backup generator, breathing air packs, an air bottle filling station, replacement of all the turnout gear for the members, and a grant to purchase both VHF and 800 MHz radios. These and various other improvements have culminated in the departments ISO rating of a level 5. Gary has also built strong relationships in the community through prevention, education and outreach programs that he has took on over the years. He has also been an active member of the Catawba County Fire Fighters Association holding various ranks including his current role as the treasurer.  Over the past two years Chief Sigmon has made strides to insure that during the next ISO inspection that the department will be able to achieve a level 4. This in itself is a huge accomplishment for the department, as it has grown under his direction.

When asked about his announcement Chief Sigmon said “I have had a great time serving as the first full time fire chief, along with all of our accomplishments. There is nothing more satisfying than serving this community”. When responding to the news of Chief Sigmon’s retirement, Mayor David Morrow stated “The City of Claremont has benefited tremendously from Chief Sigmon’s service over the years, his talent and competence as Fire Chief has been an incredible asset”. He went on to say that “Chief Sigmon has provided guidance to not only the department but to the entire community through his fire safety outreach and safety inspection programs”.

City Manager Doug Barrick stated “Chief Sigmon will be missed, but he leaves behind a world class fire department and I wish him all the best during this new adventure in his life”. In regards to the next Chief, Barrick said “In the weeks ahead the City will begin looking for the next generation of leadership for the fire department. That new leader will take over a talented and dedicated department”.