Capt. James W. “Jim” Gray Jr., who has served as Interim Police Chief of the Marion Police Department for the past seven months, has been appointed by Marion Mayor Rodney Berry as the city’s Police Chief. Berry made the announcement Wednesday.

Additionally, Police Lt. Cindy Barr, who has been with the city since 2000, was promoted to Captain of the department. The appointments are effective immediately.

Gray was one of three finalists interviewed for the Chief of Police position. He has served with the department since 1991 and was promoted to Captain in April 2004. A graduate of Florence Darlington Technical College and Limestone College, he has an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

The two are graduates of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

Before working in Marion, Gray worked with the S.C. Department of Corrections and as a loss prevention manager. Gray was named Marion’s Employee of the Year in 2001 and received the Marion Chief’s award in 2000.

Gray’s appointment follows the tenure of Marion Police Chief Willie Smith, who served the city from 1971 until 2010. Barr has been transitioning to the position of an investigator, upon the announcement of the retirement of Marion police investigator Lt. Farmer Blue.

“Cindy has proven herself as a leader and motivator and has consistently performed in an exemplary manner as an officer over the years,” Berry said. ”

She has served as a School Resource Officer in the City of Marion for 11 years and previously served as a narcotics officer with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and as a corrections officer at the Marion County Detention Center.

Barr also attained the rank of Sergeant before getting out of the U.S. Army in 1992 and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice from Kaplan University.

The Marion Police Department has 26 full-time officers, three administrative employees and five part-time crossing guards.

“We are excited about the Mayor’s appointment and look forward to continuing to work with Chief Gray and Capt. Barr,” City Administrator Alan Ammons said. “They are both veteran law enforcement officers and well-respected in the community.”