City Names Chris Schultheis Interim Greensboro Police Chief As Thompson Retires

With City of Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson set to retire at the end of February, the city has announced that Assistant Chief Chris Schultheis will step in as interim chief.

According to the city’s press release posted Friday afternoon, Schultheis will assume the role of Interim Chief of the Greensboro Police Department effective Friday, February 27.

Schultheis said in the city’s release, “I am honored to serve in this role until the City names its next Chief of Police.”

A veteran of the department, Schultheis joined GPD in 1998 as part of the 74th Police Academy. Over the years, he has steadily moved up through the ranks.

He was promoted to corporal in 2004 and to sergeant in 2008.

As a sergeant, he served in a variety of roles, including work connected to the development and implementation of the department’s body worn camera program.

He’s had his hands in a lot of other police pots over the years as well.

In 2014, he was promoted to lieutenant. In that role, he held assignments that included Watch Commander as well as positions in the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division and Training Division.

Schultheis was promoted to captain in 2020. His assignments at that level included the Special Operations Division, Training Division and the Vice and Narcotics Division.

In 2024, he was elevated to assistant chief. In that position, he has served as Bureau Commander of the Management Bureau, which includes the Resource Management Division, Training Division, Office of Community Engagement, Fiscal Management and Information and Technology.

Beyond his command assignments, Schultheis has also served as a General Instructor since 2004 and worked as a Lead Instructor in the Police Academy from 2006 until 2025.

His recognitions include receiving an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate in 2014, the department’s Meritorious Conduct Bar in 2014 and the Lifesaving Medal in 2004.

The city hasn’t yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent replacement for Thompson. But Schultheis will lead the department during the transition.