news-record.com

The News & Record reported last month that Kernersville named Kenneth Gamble its new police chief. Well, Gamble was officially sworn in Tuesday.

Gamble succeeds Chief Grady "Neal" Stockton, who has been with the department for more than — gasp — 33 years.

Gamble will be the first man in 40 years to be chief without bearing the last name of Stockton.

Grady "Neal" Stockton's father, Grady H. Stockton, became chief in 1968. A heart attack sidelined the elder Stockton in 1984, and the younger Stockton replaced him.

Now, let's get back to Gamble.

He began his career as a patrolman with the Kernersville police in 1993. After three years, Gamble was promoted to detective sergeant.

During his 10 years in the Criminal Investigations Division, Gamble developed programs for child abuse and domestic violence victims and redesigned the department’s policies and procedures for addressing domestic violence.

Gamble was promoted to lieutenant in 2006. He currently manages the School Resource Officer Unit, CALEA Accreditation Program, and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) grant.

Gamble is a 2004 graduate of Guilford College and holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. He is working towards a master's in public administration at Appalachian State University.