Monroe Promotes William Bolen to Police Chief, Successor of Retiring Gilliard

The City of Monroe has announced that Assistant Police Chief William 'Rhett' Bolen will succeed retiring Police Chief J. Bryan Gilliard, effective April 11, 2025. Bolen, who has been with the Monroe Police Department since May 2004 and served as Assistant Chief since April 2024, brings extensive experience from various roles within the department. He holds a Master's degree in Public Safety from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Gilliard, who has served for 32 years, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure and looks forward to Bolen's leadership. Bolen stated he is honored to step into the role and is committed to continuing the department's focus on safety and service. This leadership transition marks a significant change for the Monroe Police Department, which has over 100 sworn officers and support personnel.