Greer police captain named chief of police for Fountain Inn

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An Upstate police captain has taken on a new role as chief of police for another Upstate city.

Captain Patrick Fortenberry, a 27-year veteran of the Greer Police Department, will leave his position on Aug. 2, to become the chief of police in Fountain Inn, according to a city of Greer news release.

During his tenure with the Greer Police Department, Fortenberry has served on the traffic unit, as a K9 officer, and as the department’s public information officer, among several other positions, the release stated. Fortenberry attributes much of his success and the opportunity for this career move to his experience in Greer.

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities I would not have had probably at any other agency. I’ve worked in a lot of different positions. I’ve grown both personally and professionally,” he said in the release. “It was truly the department investing into me and the City of Greer investing into me that has helped me accomplish this.”

Fortenberry will begin his new position as chief of police in Fountain Inn on Aug. 3, according to the release. Although his institutional knowledge, work ethic, and presence will be missed in the City of Greer, leaders recognize the opportunity as a reflection on the department, the release stated.

“Capt. Patrick Fortenberry has been preparing himself for an opportunity to be a police chief since the early days of his career,” Greer Police Chief Matthew Hamby said in the release. “He has a tremendous knowledge base and an impressive work ethic which makes him very suited to take on his next opportunity. He has been a pleasure to serve with, and we will miss him.”

City of Greer staff, colleagues and loved ones gathered at the Greer Police Department on the afternoon of July 31 to wish Fortenberry well in his new position.