UNC Charlotte Criminal Justice and Criminology alumnus Joseph D. Ramey has been promoted to Gaston County Police Chief.
Ramey, a Cramerton native, joined the Gaston County Police in 1994 and has served as patrol officer, community police officer, patrol supervisor, Criminal Investigations supervisor, Support Service supervisor, Captain of the Southern Service Area, and as the Captain of the Criminal Investigations Section. Since his promotion to Assistant Chief in 2011, Chief Ramey has overseen the Criminal Investigations Section, Special Investigations Section, Support Service Section, the Animal Control Division, and the 911 Communications Division.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte in 1995 after completing his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Gaston College. He also received a Master of Business Administration from Gardner Webb University. A graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program at N.C. State University, he holds Advanced Law Enforcement Certification and certification as a law enforcement instructor through the North Carolina Criminal Justice Police Training and Standards Division. Ramey is also a graduate of the 257th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA and has participated in Leadership Gaston.
Ramey currently serves on the Gaston County Red Cross Board of Directors and is a member of Gastonia Rotary. He is a past chairman of Family Services and is an active member of Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia where he serves as a deacon.
Ramey replaces James W. Buie, who retired after 30 years service with the department.
