VPD Fills Top Cop Spot

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After several months of searching for a new leader for the Vidalia Police Department (VPD), the city of Vidalia has officially selected former Metter Police Chief Rob Shore to become the Vidalia Police Department Chief. continued from page

The search to fill the leadership vacancy within the Department began shortly after former Vidalia Police Chief James Jermon was terminated in January. Since then, the Department has been led by Interim Police Chief Garry Colson as city administrators reviewed over 40 applications for the police chief position – 15 of which had police chief experience, and 6 of which had over 10 years of police chief experience.

Shore joined the Vidalia Police Department as the Captain of Administration in March and has been working within the city ever since. He has decades of law enforcement experience, having served as an officer in several police departments in the area, and as military police in the U.S. Army and a member of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Task Force. He joined the Metter Police Department in 2016 as a Captain and eventually became the department’s chief in January 2018. Shore led the department as chief until his resignation in February, which he stated was because of the realization that there are “times in life when we have to balance priorities and responsibilities.”

He commented on his new role, as he remarked, “I am honored to be appointed as Chief of Police for the City of Vidalia. I am grateful for the trust placed in me, and I am committed to serving with integrity, transparency, and dedication to public safety. My goal is to strengthen the bond between our department and the community through fairness, accountability, and collaboration.”

Vidalia City Manager Josh Beck also spoke about Shore’s promotion, as he emphasized his belief that the change will bring a time of progress for the Vidalia Police Department, with a focus on community engagement, officer development, and proactive public safety initiatives — momentum which he says has been greatly strengthened under the leadership of Interim Chief Colson, whose steady guidance and commitment over the past four months have positioned the department for continued success.

““In this critical time, when public safety stands at the forefront of our priorities and vision for the community, it is imperative that we appoint a leader who not only understands the complex challenges of modern policing but also embodies integrity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to fostering and building relationships,” Beck said. “Rob Shore has demonstrated unwavering dedication to protecting public safety while fostering trust between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. His ability to lead with transparency, engage diverse communities, and implement effective policies positions him as an ideal candidate to lead our department into the future.”

Beck continued, “As we all know, public safety is the foundation of a thriving city. It affects everything— from economic development to education, to the everyday quality of life for our residents. Rob Shore understands this deeply and has a proven track record. I believe he is the best person to help our administration carry out the vision of the Mayor and Council.”

Shore was sworn in to the Vidalia Police Chief position on Wednesday afternoon, May 21, and immediately began transitioning into the role.