MOULTRIE — In Facebook posts three hours apart Jan. 17, the City of Moultrie announced the departure of its police chief and the appointment of his interim replacement.

Police Chief Sean Ladson is leaving after seven years with the City.

“Chief Ladson has accomplished great things during the last seven years,” City Manager Pete Dillard said in the Facebook post.

The post praised Ladson for fostering strong relationships with community stakeholders and various law enforcement agencies, including the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, where he formerly worked, as well as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, U.S. Marshal Service and neighboring communities.

In the city’s post, Ladson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Moultrie as the chief of police. He acknowledged the support and cooperation he received from passionate law enforcement personnel, city employees, city officials, and community leaders. Ladson emphasized the collective commitment to the community’s well-being, saying, “Everyone I have worked with cares deeply for this community.”

Hours later, the City announced that Moultrie native Chad Castleberry had been named interim police chief.

Castleberry started his policing career in 1990 at the MPD.

“I’m excited to be back in my home community,” Castleberry told The Observer later in the week. “I personally have a lot of connections here, and I’m also excited to reconnect with the community.”

Before taking this position, Castleberry worked as the police chief in a neighboring community.

“I worked in Adel for 18 years,” Castleberry said. “Sean contacted me about coming back here, and it just felt right and made sense to come back.”

Castleberry hopes to serve the community the best way he can as the City searches for the permanent police chief.

“Once I get settled I want to start having community meetings,” said Castleberry. “What I think is a problem and needs attention might not be what the community sees as a problem and I want to hear what they have to say.”

Another way Castleberry hopes to better serve the City of Moultrie is to work on bringing in new officers and support those already employed.

“It nice to still be excited about the job 34 years later,” said Castleberry. “Because that’s the right word — excited.”