Richmond Hill Appoints Cary Hill as Police Chief

The city has selected Cary Hill to lead the department permanently following his time as interim chief.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized brass police shield, representing the appointment of a new city police chief. — Richmond Hill officials named Cary Hill as the city's permanent police chief, concluding a leadership evaluation process that began last December. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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City officials have officially named Cary Hill as the permanent police chief of Richmond Hill. He previously served in the interim role since December 2025.

Why it matters

The appointment follows a decision by city leadership to pause an external search in March to focus on evaluating Hill's performance. His leadership as interim chief was credited with maintaining operational stability and building community partnerships.

Cary Hill brings over 30 years of total law enforcement experience to the position, including 15 years in command roles. He joined the department in 2024 after beginning his career with the Savannah Police Department in 1992.

The players

Cary Hill

He is the newly appointed police chief of Richmond Hill with over three decades of law enforcement experience.

The details

Hill holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University and a master's degree in public safety administration from Columbus State University. Additionally, he currently serves as a senior chief petty officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

Hill began his law enforcement career with the Savannah Police Department in 1992.
Hill joined the Richmond Hill Police Department in 2024.
Hill started serving as the city's interim chief in December 2025.
City leaders paused their external search for a permanent chief in March 2026.
Hill was officially appointed as the permanent police chief in October 2026.

Market Landscape

The appointment of Cary Hill follows the established industry trend of police departments prioritizing internal continuity by elevating interim leadership to permanent roles. This decision allows the city to avoid the costs and uncertainty associated with an external search process.

Residents can expect continued administrative consistency as the department moves forward under permanent leadership. The appointment concludes a period of uncertainty regarding the future direction of the city's police force.

The takeaway

The appointment of a permanent chief provides a clear chain of command for the local department moving forward. Residents should monitor future city council updates for any potential shifts in departmental policy or operational priorities under this new leadership.