Appointment of Weaverville Police Chief Somer Oberlin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Selena Coffey, Town Manager
Town of Weaverville
Office: (828) 645-7116
Email: scoffey@weavervillenc.org 

Weaverville, February 14, 2024 – Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey has announced her appointment of Assistant Police Chief Somer Oberlin to succeed Chief Ron Davis as Weaverville’s new Police Chief upon his retirement on April 1, 2024. Chief Oberlin will become the Town of Weaverville’s first female Chief.

Oberlin began her tenure with the Weaverville Police Department in 2014 and has served in progressively responsible positions in law enforcement since 2012. Oberlin began with the Weaverville Police Department, as most do, as a patrol officer and transitioned to Detective in 2017. Among her many contributions to the Town, Oberlin also served on the Domestic Violence Lethality Assessment Team, contributes to the Coordinated Community Response Team, and has undergone Trauma Intervention Program training to enhance support resources within the agency.

Town Manager Coffey appointed Oberlin as Interim Police Chief in 2018 before hiring Chief Ron Davis, and she was promoted to Lieutenant and then to Assistant Chief in 2020 by Chief Davis. Since assuming this role, she has completed the Police Chiefs Institute with the North Carolina Justice Academy, the Law Enforcement Executive Program (LEEP) at North Carolina State University, earned her Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification with the North Carolina Training and Standards Division and is currently working toward an Organizational Management Certificate through the Southern Police Institute.  Oberlin is also a member of the North Carolina Police Executives Association and North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.

When asked about his successor, Chief Ron Davis responded, “On a daily basis, Somer shows her unwavering support and dedication to protect the community she holds dear.” Town Manager Coffey added, “I have been impressed with Somer’s leadership and genuine concern for her team and the Town’s residents from day one. She is a leader who truly cares, is motivated to do her best for our citizens, and puts her heart into everything she does. I am so very thankful to our new Chief Oberlin for accepting this position and look forward to working alongside her in serving the Town’s residents.”