FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2005

CUNNINGHAM TO HEAD CARY PD

CARY, NC – Following a national search, Cary Town Manager Bill Coleman has selected Scott Alan Cunningham to serve as the Town’s new Chief of Police.  Cunningham, 48, was one of three finalists for the job, which received 59 applications from candidates throughout the nation.  He comes to Cary from the Tampa Police Department where he worked since 1981.  Cunningham has been the Assistant Chief for Operations there since 2003.  He takes the Cary helm from Deputy Chief Pat Bazemore on August 26, 2005.  Bazemore has been serving as Interim Chief since June 1 following the retirement of W.J. Hunter after more than 29 years of service with the Town.

“Scott has the depth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to help the department and our community through the public safety challenges that lie ahead,” said Town Manager Bill Coleman.  “Scott’s leadership abilities coupled with his collaborative style are a good fit for this organization.”

“I appreciate the Town Manager’s confidence in me and look forward to working with the staff, Council, and citizens to continue keeping Cary one of the safest places in the country,“ said Cunningham.

Cunningham holds a PhD in Adult Education and Management from the University of South Florida and an MPA from Golden Gate University, both located in Tampa, Florida, and a BA from Indiana University in Bloomington.  He also participated in Leadership Tampa in 2003, attended the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University in 1995, and completed the Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute in 1995.

Cunningham’s professional associations include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Southern Criminal Justice Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.

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