Governor McCrory Announces Top Law Enforcement Leadership | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Today, Governor Pat McCrory named top leaders in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's law enforcement division, including the Colonel of the State Highway Patrol, the Director of Alcohol Law Enforcement and the State Capitol Police Chief.

    Colonel William J. Grey, 52, of Cary, will immediately assume command of the State Highway Patrol. He will oversee 2,300 sworn and civilian employees whose mission is to make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible.

    Gregory K. Baker, 49, of Raleigh, is currently a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As ALE Director, he will lead the 110 Alcohol Law Enforcement agents and support staff whose primary responsibility is to enforce the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control laws and the Controlled Substances Act.

    Glen B. Allen, 54, Clayton's Police Chief, will become chief of the State Capitol Police force. State Capitol Police Officers provide a safe and secure environment for public officials, state employees and visitors within the North Carolina State Government Complex and at state-owned properties in the capital city area.

    In addition to Grey, Supreme Court Justice Mark Martin administered the oath of office to Deputy Colonel Gary Bell, 50, of Raleigh, and Major Billy Clayton, 46, of Burlington. Baker and Allen will be sworn into office May 1.

    "These men have compiled exemplary records in law enforcement and are well equipped to carry out their new responsibilities," said Governor Pat McCrory. "I am confident the people of North Carolina will be well served by these appointments."

    "The Department of Public Safety is stronger today with these leaders in place and North Carolina is a safer place with them at the helm," said DPS Secretary Kieran Shanahan. "Protecting the public is the top priority for this agency, and I have every confidence that this team and its collaborative efforts will serve North Carolina well."

    Grey, who becomes the 26th commander of the State Highway Patrol, replaces the former colonel, Michael Gilchrist, who retired in February. Prior to his appointment, Grey was a major overseeing the support services section of the State Highway Patrol. He graduated from Guilford College with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2008. A former Marine corporal, Grey joined the Highway Patrol in 1991. His duty stations included Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Cary and Raleigh.

    Baker served as a manager of FBI's Criminal Investigative Programs at both the national level and the field office level. He has been serving as a special agent in the Raleigh FBI office since 2008. He also served five years in the FBI's Charlotte office and two years in the FBI's Washington D.C. headquarters as a supervisory special agent. Baker earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Central Oklahoma State University.

    Allen has been the chief of the Clayton Police Department since 2006. He was also the chief of Henderson Police Department for nine years. He has a master's degree in public administration from East Carolina University and is a past president of the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police.

    Contact: Crystal Feldman     govpress@nc.gov