Wayne Green, 55, pins the insignia of an eagle on his uniform, which identifies him as Mt. Sterling police chief. The morning ritual serves as a time for Wayne to center himself and be reminded of the community he is sworn to protect and serve.

Wayne Green, 55, pins the insignia of an eagle on his uniform, which identifies him as Mt. Sterling police chief. The morning ritual serves as a time for Wayne to center himself and be reminded of the community he is sworn to protect and serve.

BlackAndBlueText.jpg
Wayne wields an unloaded assault rifle at the police department’s private firing range outside of city limits. Sometimes community members don’t recognize Wayne out of uniform. One time while shopping in street clothes another black man told him , “

Wayne wields an unloaded assault rifle at the police department’s private firing range outside of city limits. Sometimes community members don’t recognize Wayne out of uniform. One time while shopping in street clothes another black man told him , “You look almost human.”

Wayne converses with coworkers between his daily tasks at the police department. Since stepping into the role of chief, Wayne's lifestyle and responsibilities have shifted significantly as his work schedule no longer adheres to a specific shift. Ins

Wayne converses with coworkers between his daily tasks at the police department. Since stepping into the role of chief, Wayne's lifestyle and responsibilities have shifted significantly as his work schedule no longer adheres to a specific shift. Instead he's on call all hours of the day and night.

Wayne makes introductions before the start of an interview for a police officer. The department was seeking to fill three open positions to restore a full staff of 24. He sees hiring new officers as an opportunity to achieve his vision of diversity

Wayne makes introductions before the start of an interview for a police officer. The department was seeking to fill three open positions to restore a full staff of 24. He sees hiring new officers as an opportunity to achieve his vision of diversity in the department. People have asked Wayne why the police department doesn’t hire people of color, leaving him frustrated. “I still want the best person for the job. I would love to see people of color and more females apply, but if they don’t apply then they’re not a part of the interview process. It’s that simple.”

Wayne sits down with county commissioner Jack "Rackle" Adams (center) and city council member Al Botts as they judge a chili cook-off contest hosted by the Montgomery County Senior Citizens Center.

Wayne sits down with county commissioner Jack "Rackle" Adams (center) and city council member Al Botts as they judge a chili cook-off contest hosted by the Montgomery County Senior Citizens Center.

Wayne congratulates Ann Dragoo, the winner of the chili cook-off. As chief, Wayne takes pleasure in being present for community events like this where he can represent and be a face for the police department.

Wayne congratulates Ann Dragoo, the winner of the chili cook-off. As chief, Wayne takes pleasure in being present for community events like this where he can represent and be a face for the police department.

Wayne gathers with his wife Christy's side of the family for a Thursday night dinner. Wayne and Christy, who has been a deputy jailer for close to 30 years, have been able to cultivate a strong sense of mutual support within their relationship. "Hav

Wayne gathers with his wife Christy's side of the family for a Thursday night dinner. Wayne and Christy, who has been a deputy jailer for close to 30 years, have been able to cultivate a strong sense of mutual support within their relationship. "Having a spouse in the same field you're in gives you that intimacy to talk about things if you want to, but it also gives you that way out, if you don't want to talk about it, because she gets it. So that's powerful," he says.

Wayne embraces his granddaughter, Makynleigh, 7, as Anniston, 5, clings to Christy at dinner. For Wayne, his four granddaughters are his world, and he and Christy care for them after school most days during the week. After a long day of work at the

Wayne embraces his granddaughter, Makynleigh, 7, as Anniston, 5, clings to Christy at dinner. For Wayne, his four granddaughters are his world, and he and Christy care for them after school most days during the week. After a long day of work at the police department, Wayne will typically color or watch SpongeBob SquarePants with his granddaughters, allowing him to decompress. "I can feel the stress leave my body because of their innocence," he says.

Figurines representing African-Americans in various professions sit on a shelf in Wayne’s home office. Wayne hopes to inspire young people of color in the same way these figurines inspire him. His message to young people: “You don’t have to be law e

Figurines representing African-Americans in various professions sit on a shelf in Wayne’s home office. Wayne hopes to inspire young people of color in the same way these figurines inspire him. His message to young people: “You don’t have to be law enforcement like me, but you can be a professional. It may be harder, but you can do it; you’ve just got to want to do it.”

Wayne, left, stands with his identical twin brother, Dwayne Green. "We've been best friends for 55 years," says Wayne. Dwayne, a retired Winchester police officer, is another crucial source of support for Wayne. Both like to tell a story about when

Wayne, left, stands with his identical twin brother, Dwayne Green. "We've been best friends for 55 years," says Wayne. Dwayne, a retired Winchester police officer, is another crucial source of support for Wayne. Both like to tell a story about when they both pulled over the same woman in their respective towns within 20 minutes. The woman complained to the Mt. Sterling Police Department that she was being harassed, but was ultimately embarrassed to discover that they were, in fact different officers.

Wayne Green, 55, pins the insignia of an eagle on his uniform, which identifies him as Mt. Sterling police chief. The morning ritual serves as a time for Wayne to center himself and be reminded of the community he is sworn to protect and serve.
BlackAndBlueText.jpg
Wayne wields an unloaded assault rifle at the police department’s private firing range outside of city limits. Sometimes community members don’t recognize Wayne out of uniform. One time while shopping in street clothes another black man told him , “
Wayne converses with coworkers between his daily tasks at the police department. Since stepping into the role of chief, Wayne's lifestyle and responsibilities have shifted significantly as his work schedule no longer adheres to a specific shift. Ins
Wayne makes introductions before the start of an interview for a police officer. The department was seeking to fill three open positions to restore a full staff of 24. He sees hiring new officers as an opportunity to achieve his vision of diversity
Wayne sits down with county commissioner Jack "Rackle" Adams (center) and city council member Al Botts as they judge a chili cook-off contest hosted by the Montgomery County Senior Citizens Center.
Wayne congratulates Ann Dragoo, the winner of the chili cook-off. As chief, Wayne takes pleasure in being present for community events like this where he can represent and be a face for the police department.
Wayne gathers with his wife Christy's side of the family for a Thursday night dinner. Wayne and Christy, who has been a deputy jailer for close to 30 years, have been able to cultivate a strong sense of mutual support within their relationship. "Hav
Wayne embraces his granddaughter, Makynleigh, 7, as Anniston, 5, clings to Christy at dinner. For Wayne, his four granddaughters are his world, and he and Christy care for them after school most days during the week. After a long day of work at the
Figurines representing African-Americans in various professions sit on a shelf in Wayne’s home office. Wayne hopes to inspire young people of color in the same way these figurines inspire him. His message to young people: “You don’t have to be law e
Wayne, left, stands with his identical twin brother, Dwayne Green. "We've been best friends for 55 years," says Wayne. Dwayne, a retired Winchester police officer, is another crucial source of support for Wayne. Both like to tell a story about when

Wayne Green, 55, pins the insignia of an eagle on his uniform, which identifies him as Mt. Sterling police chief. The morning ritual serves as a time for Wayne to center himself and be reminded of the community he is sworn to protect and serve.

Wayne wields an unloaded assault rifle at the police department’s private firing range outside of city limits. Sometimes community members don’t recognize Wayne out of uniform. One time while shopping in street clothes another black man told him , “You look almost human.”

Wayne converses with coworkers between his daily tasks at the police department. Since stepping into the role of chief, Wayne's lifestyle and responsibilities have shifted significantly as his work schedule no longer adheres to a specific shift. Instead he's on call all hours of the day and night.

Wayne makes introductions before the start of an interview for a police officer. The department was seeking to fill three open positions to restore a full staff of 24. He sees hiring new officers as an opportunity to achieve his vision of diversity in the department. People have asked Wayne why the police department doesn’t hire people of color, leaving him frustrated. “I still want the best person for the job. I would love to see people of color and more females apply, but if they don’t apply then they’re not a part of the interview process. It’s that simple.”

Wayne sits down with county commissioner Jack "Rackle" Adams (center) and city council member Al Botts as they judge a chili cook-off contest hosted by the Montgomery County Senior Citizens Center.

Wayne congratulates Ann Dragoo, the winner of the chili cook-off. As chief, Wayne takes pleasure in being present for community events like this where he can represent and be a face for the police department.

Wayne gathers with his wife Christy's side of the family for a Thursday night dinner. Wayne and Christy, who has been a deputy jailer for close to 30 years, have been able to cultivate a strong sense of mutual support within their relationship. "Having a spouse in the same field you're in gives you that intimacy to talk about things if you want to, but it also gives you that way out, if you don't want to talk about it, because she gets it. So that's powerful," he says.

Wayne embraces his granddaughter, Makynleigh, 7, as Anniston, 5, clings to Christy at dinner. For Wayne, his four granddaughters are his world, and he and Christy care for them after school most days during the week. After a long day of work at the police department, Wayne will typically color or watch SpongeBob SquarePants with his granddaughters, allowing him to decompress. "I can feel the stress leave my body because of their innocence," he says.

Figurines representing African-Americans in various professions sit on a shelf in Wayne’s home office. Wayne hopes to inspire young people of color in the same way these figurines inspire him. His message to young people: “You don’t have to be law enforcement like me, but you can be a professional. It may be harder, but you can do it; you’ve just got to want to do it.”

Wayne, left, stands with his identical twin brother, Dwayne Green. "We've been best friends for 55 years," says Wayne. Dwayne, a retired Winchester police officer, is another crucial source of support for Wayne. Both like to tell a story about when they both pulled over the same woman in their respective towns within 20 minutes. The woman complained to the Mt. Sterling Police Department that she was being harassed, but was ultimately embarrassed to discover that they were, in fact different officers.

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