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Gastonia Police Assistant Chief Charles Lifford is retiring after nearly three decades with the department.
A retirement ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. Friday in the community room of the police department, 200 E. Long Ave. in Gastonia, officials said this week.
Lifford joined the police department in 1983, and became the assistant chief in January.
Officials say he has served in many roles across the department, including in its patrol, ABC enforcement, administration and sniper teams. He developed the teleservice unit, was involved with a workgroup to assess the Police Training Officer, and received a fellowship in 2008 with the Police Executive Research Forum.
Lifford also is executive director of the Gastonia Police Foundation. Other community involvement includes being a founding member of Girls on the Run of Gaston County and serving on the Rotary Club of Gastonia’s board of directors.
Lifford is currently seeking a law degree from the Charlotte School of Law. He’s expected to graduate next May.
