Interim Hillsborough Police Chief Jason Winn is taking over the role permanently, advancing his climb through the ranks after 12 years with the department.
A release from the Town Hillsborough on Tuesday morning announced the promotion, with Winn succeeding former Chief Duane Hampton after Hampton took a job in Virginia Beach this spring. Prior to being named chief, Winn served as one of two majors in the department who assisted the chief with daily operations.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve in the capacity of chief of police with the Hillsborough Police Department,” Winn said. “Our community places a lot of trust in us, and we are working to increase our outreach and to keep building new relationships. We have been making great progress as an agency, and I look forward to being a part of the great things we want to accomplish.”
Town Manager Eric Peterson said after the six-month review of Winn’s work as interim chief — where he surveyed the police department’s employees, the executive committee of the Fairview Community Watch, and town commissioners — he felt comfortable elevating Winn to the permanent job.
“I’ve received a lot of positive feedback about Jason’s impact during his tenure as interim chief,” Peterson said in the town’s release. “There is strong support for the work that he’s done and the direction the department is heading.
“Jason and the Hillsborough Police Department team have continued what they’re well known for — active and positive community engagement,” he added. “When issues and concerns arise, the department and Jason are quick to reach out and open dialogues with individuals, neighborhoods, businesses and community groups to listen and help solve problems.”
Among the reasons he’s earned support, Peterson said, is Winn’s efforts to restructure the police department’s classifications and reporting system. Hillsborough Police changed its major position to assistant police chief and added a police captain classification. Additionally, the town said Winn responded to suggestions by personnel to help improve training opportunities, adjustments in shifts and technology within the department.
During his weekly interview with 97.9 The Hill, Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell gave credit to the town manager’s review efforts to confirm Winn as the right person to permanently take over the role, while also sharing his approval of the selection.
“Hiring the police chief is one of the hardest things a town manager has to do,” said Bell. “It is so consequential and so important to get the right fit of a person with experience, personality, dedication to the town to make that [role] really work. So, I want to congratulate Eric Peterson for a great process — lots of community involvement, a lot of insight sought from various stakeholders and the board and staff, and of course HPD officers themselves.
“It was a good process, and I think a really, really good outcome,” the mayor concluded. “I’m excited for Hillsborough.”
Winn began his law enforcement career with Hillsborough Police in 2012, after earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UNC-Greensboro. He was promoted to sergeant after four years and left in 2018 to briefly join the Morrisville Police Department before returning to take a lieutenant position with Hillsborough’s department in 2019. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, Winn holds a master’s degree in justice administration from Methodist University and graduated from a 12-week residential course from the University of Louisville in 2024 meant to help officers aiming to advance in law enforcement roles.
A swearing-in ceremony for Winn will be held at the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Annex off East Corbin Street.
Featured photo via the Town of Hillsborough.
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