WCBC

February 19th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

The city of Cumberland announced Wednesday that the  search for a new chief of the Cumberland Police Department is down to two candidates.

The finalists — Capt. Chuck Ternent of the Cumberland Police Department and Capt. Thomas Langston of the Hagerstown Police Department .

"Captain Ternent and Captain Langston are outstanding career law enforcement professionals that have significant command, administrative and leadership experience," said City Administrator Jeff Rhodes. 

Ternent has been serving as interim chief since Charles Hinnant's retirement Nov. 1. According to his resume, he's managed every aspect of the police department and has "experience in working as a team with all City of Cumberland management."

He's been assigned to the department's administration for seven years as a sergeant, lieutenant and captain. 

Langston lives in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. According to his resume, he is a "dedicated law enforcement professional with nearly thirty years of experience at the local and national level."

He's served with the Hagerstown department since 1999 in roles including detective, sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain and worked as an officer for three years in the Baltimore City Police Department.

Eighteen people initially applied for the position. The applications, which were whittled down to six, were received from as far away as New York and Alabama.

Rhodes said the city’s procedure consisted of a screening committee, a selection and interviewing committee and selection of the final candidates by the city administrator.

Ternent and Langston will participate in a forum to allow the public to meet both candidates, but a date for that event has not been set.