The Town of Wake Forest has announced the retirement of Police Chief Jeff Leonard, who will be stepping down from his post on February 1, after 32 years of public service, with the last 15 spent at the helm of the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD). Leonard's retirement marks the end of an era for the WFPD, where he saw the force grow from a small unit to a much larger presence in the community. A local retirement reception to celebrate Leonard's career will be held on January 29 at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, from 3-7 p.m., with a formal program slated to commence at 6 p.m.
Leonard began his tenure in the public sector as a volunteer with the Wake Forest Fire Department in 1987 and transitioned to the WFPD in 1992 as a part-time auxiliary officer before going full-time in 1994. In a statement obtained by the Town of Wake Forest, Leonard reflected on the technological advancements that have redefined law enforcement since he started. "When I started, we had 14 officers and less than 20 employees," Leonard recalled. "Today we have 98 officers and over 120 employees. We have evolved from a department with no cell phones, computers, or cameras to a department that simply couldn’t function efficiently without the advances in technology we currently enjoy."
Capt. Julius Jefferson is slated to step in as Interim Police Chief following Leonard's departure until a permanent replacement can be appointed. Leonard's leadership is credited for ushering the WFPD into the modern age, achieving CALEA accreditation in 2018 and re-accreditation in 2022, illustrating the department's commitment to professional law enforcement standards.
Under Leonard's stewardship the WFPD has expanded not only in terms of personnel and technology but also in synchronization with the surrounding community. Wake Forest has seen its population swell from about 6,000 in the early 90s to roughly 60,000 today, posing new challenges for the department. "We cover parts of two counties and depending on the time of day it can take as long as 30 minutes to get from one side of the town to the other," Leonard told the Town of Wake Forest. His stewardship has been marked by adaptability and an embrace of positive change.
Post-retirement, Leonard plans to pursue interests outside the sphere of law enforcement, including fishing, golfing, and entering the real estate market. "Working in real estate will allow me to continue helping others," Leonard says. "The good part is that I will not always be dealing with people during their worst times – as I often do as police chief. Now, I can help them during an exciting time in their life." This anticipated transition reflects a desire to maintain his connection to the community in a less strenuous capacity. The Town of Wake Forest invites members of the public to join at the upcoming reception to acknowledge Leonard's contributions to effective policing and public safety.
