WCBC

Following the retirement of Cumberland Police Chief Charles H. Hinnant, Capt. Chuck Ternent has been named as the interim chief of police by Cumberland City Administrator Jeff Rhodes.

Ternent, a 25-year veteran of the police force, will lead the department while the city conducts a search for a new chief.

“I am pleased to be able to appoint Captain Ternent as interim police chief,” Rhodes said. “He has been an integral part of the Cumberland Police Department for more than two decades and his experience and understanding of police operations are invaluable in overseeing the Department.”

Rhodes said Ternent led the department through the recent Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies accreditation process, describing it as a rigorous "gold standard" of professionalism and performance for local law enforcement departments. 

“The Cumberland Police Department is an elite law enforcement agency and I am confident that he will do an outstanding job leading the Department in the coming months,” Rhodes said.

Ternent began employment with the department in January 1993 and attended the Western Maryland Police Academy.   

He was assigned as a detective and later at the rank of corporal to the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit, serving in the investigative unit for 10 years. He served 10 years supervising a patrol shift after a promotion to sergeant.

Eventually assigned to administration, he was tasked to obtain Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies status. He worked several years successfully obtaining initial accreditation in 2014 and achieved re-accreditation in 2018.  

He was promoted to captain in January.

Ternent holds an associate of arts degree in criminal justice from Allegany College and a bachelor of science degree in justice studies from Frostburg State University. He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University Police Executive Leadership Program with a master’s degree in management. 

Ternent is a member of the Maryland Municipal Police Executive Association, Maryland Chief’s and Sheriff’s Association, International Association Police Chiefs, Maryland Association of Police Planners and the Chesapeake Region Law Enforcement Accreditation Alliance.

Hinnant, who has served as the head of the department for the past 13 years, retires Nov. 1.