Winston-Salem finds its new police chief in house

Barry D. Rountree has been appointed chief of the Winston-Salem Police Department. Rountree previously served as assistant chief and was one of three candidates who was a veteran of the department.

Full press release: 

Assistant Police Chief Barry D. Rountree Appointed Chief of Police

        City Manager Lee Garrity today announced the appointment of Assistant Police Chief Barry D. Rountree as Winston-Salem’s next chief of police. Rountree will assume his duties June 30 at the conclusion of the service of Chief Scott Cunningham, who is retiring.

        Rountree is a 25-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Department. He currently serves as the assistant chief in charge of the Investigative Services Bureau. He previously served as commander of the Field Services and Support Services bureaus. He also has overseen the Professional Standards Division, the Special Operations Division, Recruiting, Training, and Information Technology.
        “I am very pleased with the level of feedback that I have received from citizens and police employees regarding our candidates,” Garrity said. “After careful deliberation of all aspects of the chief’s job, I have determined that Assistant Chief Rountree is the best candidate to assume this major responsibility for our community.
        “He will provide the leadership to aggressively combat crime while working to enhance the relationships between the department and the community.”
        Rountree said, “I am honored to have been offered this opportunity. I am eager to continue our efforts to reduce crime, create safer neighborhoods, improve the quality of life for all citizens, and improve the community’s trust in the department.”
        Rountree said his immediate priorities will be to meet with Police Department employees, local elected officials, and community leaders to hear their concerns and start working to address those concerns.
        Rountree, 49, has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Winston-Salem State University and a master’s in public affairs from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Rountree also is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program at North Carolina State University and the Municipal Administration program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
        Rountree and his wife, Sylvia, have one son, Barry Jr., and they are members of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Rountree’s salary will be $122,000 annually.