Hinesville Chief of Police Bill Kirkendall named Lloyd Slater Assistant Chief of Police and promoted him to the rank of major Aug. 20. He is the first African American in the city’s history to hold the post of assistant chief.

“Major Slater is the epitome of a great police officer and has more than earned this promotion,” said Kirkendall. “Throughout the years, he has shown outstanding leadership and dedication to his department and community.”

Slater is a former U.S. Army Ranger from Brooklyn, N.Y. who was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Stewart and later became a member of the Hinesville Police Department in 1986. During his 32 years of service with the HPD he has served as Emergency Services Dive Unit Commander, Field Training Officer Program Manager, Watch Commander and Uniform Patrol Division Commander.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in public safety administration from Columbus State University and is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. He has nine Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training instructor certifications, and a P.O.S.T. managerial certification. He has written articles on a variety of topics and has been published in Police Chief magazine.

Slater is also a member of several professional organizations to include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, United States Army Ranger Association and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. 

He and his wife Cindy Slater live in Hinesville where they enjoy spending time with family and planning their next adventure.