Tony Randall is a licensed surveyor who on Tuesday was elected the top cop in Ashland, a rural community of about 2,000 residents.
He's never worked in law enforcement but says his experience running a business and dealing with people will help him police the town about 40 miles north of Concord. He plans to attend the police academy starting in September and has six months to graduate or town officials will appoint someone else as chief.
Randall defeated two other candidates, both of whom have worked as police officers. His police department has about 12 members.
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