Fred Whitaker was promoted to lieutenant over the Civil Division and Anzell Harris was promoted to lieutenant over the Narcotics Division.

Whitaker, who is widely recognized throughout the community as senior pastor of Consuming Fire Global Ministries outside Roanoke Rapids, came to work for the sheriff’s office in 1999, Chief Deputy Wes Tripp said. He was promoted to civil deputy in 2006.

His promotion is to replace the lieutenant position left vacant by Carl Kankosky, Tripp said.

His duties include overseeing civil process, executions, assisting the tax office in collecting back taxes, the sex offender registry and the carry concealed permit process.

“When Fred came to work in 1999 he was on my squad,” Tripp said this morning. “Fred has always been proactive and productive in his work duties.”

Harris, of Enfield, came to work for the sheriff’s office in 2005 and was promoted to narcotics officer two years later. “Lieutenant Harris has had great success in the prosecution of drug cases on the state and federal level,” Tripp said, “both of which have made substantial local impacts.”

Harris, Tripp said, “Has an excellent rapport not only with local agents and people, but agents in other counties and cities and on the federal level to combat the drug situation.”

Tripp also explained Harris has a deep understanding of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and was instrumental in the Operation Burnout program that saw numerous local drug dealers get federal prison time.

Harris replaces Lieutenant Bobby Martin who is now a road squad lieutenant.

Tripp described Whitaker and Harris as men “dedicated to serving the citizens of Halifax County. These men have proven knowledge and expertise in law enforcement.”