Town Announces First Female Police Chief - TribPapers
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Town Announces First Female Police Chief

Weaverville's new Police Chief Somer Oberlin. Photo courtesy of Town of Weaverville

Weaverville – Weaverville Town Police Chief Ron Davis is retiring from law enforcement and the town has already found his replacement. Weaverville’s Town Manager, Selena Coffey, has announced the appointment of Assistant Police Chief Somer Oberlin to succeed Chief Ron Davis as Weaverville’s new Police Chief upon his retirement on April 1, 2024. Chief Oberlin will become the Town of Weaverville’s first female Chief.

Oberlin embarked on her journey with the Weaverville Police Department in 2014, steadily ascending through the ranks of law enforcement since 2012. Starting as a patrol officer, Oberlin’s dedication and expertise led her to transition to the role of Detective in 2017. Noteworthy among her contributions to the town is her assistance on the Domestic Violence Lethality Assessment Team, her involvement in the Coordinated Community Response Team, and her completion of Trauma Intervention Program training, all of which have improved support resources within the agency.

Asked about her selection to serve as the town’s next chief of police, Oberlin told the Tribune, “The honor of being selected for Chief is both exciting and overwhelming. Whatever my accomplishments, no matter how grand or modest, they are not mine alone. I have been so very lucky to have had people in my life who have both inspired me and influenced me along the way. I have had wonderful mentors and teachers.”

This upcoming tenure as chief will not mark Chief Somer Oberlin’s inaugural leadership role within the department, as she previously held the position of Interim Police Chief in 2018. This initial appointment came at the behest of Town Manager Selena Coffey, following the retirement of Chief Alan Wyatt. Oberlin’s role as Interim Chief served as a crucial transitional period for the department, bridging the gap between Chief Wyatt’s departure and the commencement of Chief Ron Davis’s tenure.

This experience provided Oberlin with invaluable insights into the complexities and responsibilities of leading a law enforcement agency, laying a solid foundation for her subsequent roles within the department. Recognizing her leadership capabilities and the potential for further growth, Coffey subsequently promoted Oberlin to the rank of Lieutenant, entrusting her with increased responsibilities and leadership duties. Oberlin’s exemplary performance in this capacity led to her further promotion to Assistant Chief in 2020, a role in which she continued to demonstrate her dedication to the department, her commitment to community safety, and her ability to lead and inspire her colleagues. This series of promotions, culminating in her upcoming appointment as Chief, underscores the confidence that the town’s administration has in Oberlin’s leadership qualities and her vision for the future of the Weaverville Police Department.

“I have had the pleasure of working under Chief Ron Davis and garnering decades of experience and advice, as well as being a very supportive town manager in Selena Coffey. Both placed a great deal of trust in me over the last five years. I work with the highest caliber of people in the police department and throughout the town, all of whom have made me believe something like this could even be possible,” said Oberlin. “Amidst it all, I have my wonderful family who has never stopped believing in me, supporting my endeavors, and helping me stay grounded. This achievement is the product of all of the people who have gone out of their way to help me, and I look forward to continuing the hard work for and with them.”

Since assuming these roles, Oberlin has sought ongoing professional development, completing the Police Chiefs Institute with the North Carolina Justice Academy, the Law Enforcement Executive Program (LEEP) at North Carolina State University, and earning her Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification with the North Carolina Training and Standards Division. Currently, she is working towards an Organizational Management Certificate through the Southern Police Institute. Oberlin is also an esteemed member of the North Carolina Police Executives Association and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chief Davis lauds Oberlin’s unwavering commitment to community safety, stating, “On a daily basis, Somer shows her unwavering support and dedication to protect the community she holds dear.” Town Manager Coffey echoes this sentiment, expressing admiration for Oberlin’s leadership and genuine concern for her team and the town’s residents. She remarks, “She is a leader who truly cares, is motivated to do her best for our citizens, and puts her heart into everything she does. I am so very thankful to our new Chief Oberlin for accepting this position and look forward to working alongside her in serving the town’s residents.”