By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Greensboro police Capt. Shon Fitzgerald Barnes has been hired as deputy police chief with the Salisbury Police Department, according to a city statement Monday.

His first day with the Salisbury Police Department will be May 15.

Barnes has a varied background in law enforcement spanning nearly two decades with the Greensboro Police Department. He held multiple positions including juvenile victim’s detective, sergeant in the commercial crimes squad, specialized subject control and arrest techniques instructor, and commanding officer of three different divisions.

He became a law enforcement analyst for radio station 97.1 WQMG and was an adjunct faculty member at Guilford Technical Community College, Winston-Salem State University, and N.C. A&T State University.

Currently, Barnes is commanding officer of the Greensboro Police Department’s training division, where he oversees training and education for the 678-member police force. He is also responsible for management, supervision and technical police work assigned by the chief of police.

As Salisbury’s deputy police chief, Barnes will direct the department’s community-oriented policing initiative and neighborhood problem-solving.

“Barnes has strong talents and experience in community building through citizen engagement opportunities, crime analytics and community-oriented policing – three areas in which our department actively seeks to improve,” said Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes.

“Barnes will be a valuable member of the team as we continue to address staffing challenges and increase training for our officers. We are fortunate that a leader of his caliber has agreed to join our department.”

Barnes’ previous achievements include promoting awareness of shaken baby syndrome and statewide and departmental policy changes on officer protocols for calls about unresponsive infants.

As sergeant in the commercial crimes squad, Barnes created the department’s first organized metal theft task force in which officers were partnered with community residents, local political leaders and businessmen to reduce theft of metals.

He has been recognized by the city of Greensboro with its North Carolina Service Award, the U.S. Selective Marines Corps Reserve Medal First Award, and Police Officer of the Year by the Randleman Road Business Association in 2014.

Barnes holds a bachelor’s degree in history and pre-law from Elizabeth City State University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the leadership studies/community and civic engagement program at N.C. A&T State University.

His salary will be $94,000 per year.