Governor Cooper Names new Highway Patrol Commander | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Gov. Roy Cooper today appointed Glenn M. McNeill as the next Commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

    Serving with Colonel McNeill as Deputy Commander will be Lt. Colonel Vic Ward, who recently served as Acting Commander beginning January 9.

    "The brave men and women of the Highway Patrol work tirelessly to protect North Carolina and I'm thankful for their service," Governor Cooper said. "I look forward to working with Commander McNeill and Deputy Commander Ward to keep our state safe."

    "These men have dedicated their careers to serving the state with professionalism, high moral character and integrity. They both have a broad range of experience in the Highway Patrol and have garnered well deserved respect of their fellow troopers and other law enforcement," said Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks. "I have every confidence that they will continue to build on the traditions and high standards that make the Patrol North Carolina's finest uniformed law enforcement agency."

    Colonel McNeill is a native of Reidsville and a graduate of Mount Olive College with a degree in Business Management and Organizational Development. He graduated from the FBI National Academy 2015 and was honored as a distinguished graduate.

    McNeill has served with the State Highway Patrol since 1994, starting as a trooper in Durham and later served with the Special Operations Section and as a Troop Commander. He most recently served as Director of Training for the Patrol since 2014.

    A native of Whiteville, Lt. Colonel Ward graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in criminal justice. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Justice Administration from Methodist University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Ward has served with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol since 1990.

    The North Carolina State Highway Patrol includes more than 1,600 troopers who cover 78,000 miles of North Carolina roadways. Their primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible.

    In addition to enforcing the state's traffic laws, state troopers also provide critical assistance during natural disasters such as hurricanes and snow storms, serve on public safety task forces, guide traffic during major events, re-route traffic around hazardous chemical spills, and stand ready to respond to threats against the state.

• Contact: Ford Porter
•     govpress@nc.gov