Hendersonville Police Department
Public Monthly Report

March 2026

Chief's Monthly Summary

250 years as a nation. What an accomplishment from a loose band of colonies. In terms of age though, we are infants in comparison to the rest of the world. So, what makes America so special? Maybe it is our collective alliance despite our many differences.

We come from parts across this country, shaped by different regions, cultures, and experiences. And yes, we sometimes lean into our differences and argue like siblings. Southerners complain about Yankees moving here trying to change things. Northerners complain about Southerners being backwards. Haven't we all heard these stereotypes? While we may have our differences, and often joke about them, we are ultimately united as Americans. 

All this said, we are not a perfect country. No country is. I argue that while not perfect, we are still the best in the world. We do not always agree with the direction our country moves in, and we may not always agree with how our elected leaders run this country. But, if politics control your life, you are missing out on a lot of other amazing things. What happens in Washington, regardless of who occupies the elected offices, has the least impact on our daily lives.

I prefer to be present here and focus my attention on my local community rather than on something I arguably cannot control. What happens locally is far more important to me. I choose to live a life less concerned with happenings inside the beltway and instead focus on what happens here. 

I apologize not for being a patriot, and I am blessed to have been born in a free nation. That's something millions of people around the world cannot say. Here, people can rise from humble beginnings and build a better life. We enjoy freedoms that are often taken for granted. We must remember what our forefathers fought for and protect our freedoms above all else. We must never allow them to be taken from us. 

It’s time for everyone to unite once again and celebrate what we have accomplished over two and a half centuries. Let us focus on what makes us so unique and the country so many people want to live in. Fly your US flags. Show your national pride. Have a cookout.  Enjoy the holiday and celebrate the United States of America. We are a nation of immigrants who came together to defeat oppression of the people. We prevailed and have remained united for two hundred and fifty years. Pretty impressive if you ask me. God Bless America!

One Team. One Goal. #MountainExcellence 

Call Statistics

% change describes the data compared to the previous month's numbers

Calls For Service

• Calls Answered: 5,067; +1.16%
• Calls Dispatched: 3,142; +1.28%

Traffic Safety

• Traffic Stops: 644; +110.5%
• Citations Issued: 439; +240.3%
• DWI Arrests: 5; -37.5%
• Motor Vehicle Crashes: 109; +1.9%
• Injury Crashes: 16; +220%

Top Five Crash Locations:

1. Howard Gap Rd at Chimney Rock Rd (2)

2. Four Seasons Blvd at Orrs Camp Rd/Carolina Village Rd (2)

3. King St at East Allen St (2)

4. Four Seasons Blvd at Thompson St/Freeman St (2)

5. Church St at 6th Ave W (2)

Crimes, Reports, and Arrests

• Custodial Arrests: 76; +19%
• Incident Reports: 122; +37%
• Drug Offenses: 27; +200%
• Larcenies: 52; +100%
• Assaults: 18; +50%

Employee Actions

• Anna Autry was hired as the department’s new civilian Animal Services Officer. She replaces Kelsey Galloway who now works at the Henderson County Animal Shelter.
• Garrett Dean was sworn in as a Police Officer. Garrett is a recent graduate of Basic Law Enforcement Training at AB Tech Community College. Garrett is in field training and already making a positive impression.
• Parking Services Supervisor, Kristen Narron, received the Kiwanis Club Morris Kaplan Caring is Sharing award for her commitment to service to the people of Hendersonville. Her dedication to Special Olympics and National Night Out is highly commendable and worth recognition.

Kristen Narron (left) and Police Chief Myhand (right)

• Master Police Officer Jennifer Drake retired after twenty years of service to the City of Hendersonville. Jennifer received a medal for valor for her action in an incident where an officer was stabbed. She exemplified excellence in service and was a trailblazer for other women police officers. Congratulations, Jennifer! Enjoy many years of retirement.

Officer Jennifer Drake (Center) with her daughters who also serve

• Officers completed annual firearms training for the year. Each officer is required to qualify and show proficiency with each weapon that is issued to them according to standards set by North Carolina Training and Standards.  

Safety Tip – Roundabout Safety

Roundabouts are effective at controlling traffic without the slowdown of stopping. They are easy to navigate once you understand how it works. Here are a few tips:

• Always yield to vehicles already in the circle. 
• Vehicles in the circle have the right of way and do not yield to approaching vehicles.
• Vehicles drive in a counterclockwise direction.
• Use turn signals when exiting.
• Once inside the roundabout, simply exit at the desired street. 
• If you miss your exit, simply drive around the circle and try again.

Generally, roundabouts reduce the need to come to a complete stop like at a traditional four-way intersection. Drivers should generally be able to keep moving through the roundabout effectively reducing travel times.

Be careful until you learn how to properly drive in and out of a roundabout. 
 

Complaints and Findings

• A citizen complained that an officer used excessive force against another person. An internal review sustained the complaint, finding that the officer used an unreasonable amount of force in the incident.*
• An internal complaint was made against a supervisor for failure to supervise. The internal review sustained the complaint. 

Vehicle Pursuits and Findings

• An officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a stolen registration plate; the vehicle refused to stop. The officer pursued the vehicle for approximately one minute before terminating the pursuit. The pursuit is currently under review. 

Use of Reasonable Force (UORF) Incidents and Findings

• Officer Involved Shooting- Officers shot an armed man following a confrontation at an apartment complex on Hebron Road. No officers were injured, but the male was taken to Mission Hospital for a gunshot wound. An internal review found the force to be objectively reasonable given the circumstances. The NCSBI is conducting a criminal investigation as is customary. 
• Officers were attempting to arrest a wanted suspect. Officers deployed Tasers against the suspect who physically resisted arrest. The suspect sustained superficial injuries during the incident that did not require medical treatment. This use of force incident was reviewed and found to be objectively reasonable. 
• Officers responded to reports of a male with a large stick striking the window of a business. When officers arrived on scene, they contacted the suspect who became aggressive and threatening. Officers used soft hand techniques to take the suspect into custody. There were no injuries. This use of force was reviewed and found to be objectively reasonable. 
• During a traffic stop, officers used soft hand techniques to forcibly remove an individual from a vehicle for failing to follow commands. There were no injuries. This use of force was reviewed and found to be excessive and unreasonable. An internal investigation into the matter is in progress. *This use of force investigation pertains to the citizen complaint above.

Operations/Notable Events 

• Several cars have been stolen, all left with their keys inside and doors unlocked. Please remember to bring your keys inside and lock your car doors. We rarely see incidents where windows are broken to gain entry.
• Officers searched for a runaway juvenile who was found safe at a friend’s house in less than twelve hours. 
• Detectives assigned to the Henderson County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted a search warrant and arrest at a home on Blythe Street. After a diligent investigation, a male suspect was arrested and charged with several counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for possessing and distributing child pornography. This is an ongoing investigation, and more charges are likely to follow.
• Officers responded to a bomb threat at a store in Blue Ridge Mall. No suspicious devices were located. This is still an active investigation.
• Officers assisted with the No Kings 3.0 protest in front of the Henderson County Historic Courthouse. Approximately 1,500-2,000 people participated to protest the current administration. The event concluded without incident.

Community Outreach/Special Events 

• Selected members of the department attended Proactive Alliance Training. This training is designed to teach staff how to align with other departments and community stakeholders to proactively address continuing problems rather than employ traditional response methods that are not effective. 
• Coffee with a Cop was hosted by Black Bear Coffee on Main St. This event is a great opportunity for the public and officers to interact in a non-enforcement setting.

Community Members Interact with Police at Coffee With A Cop Event

School Resource Officer Activities

• SRO's supplemented patrol teams during Spring Break.

Fraud

• The department responded to thirteen incidents of fraud this month. 
• Scammers try to convince people, mostly seniors, to make cash deposits in a variety of ways. 
• Government agencies will NEVER ask for money over the phone and will NEVER request to be paid in lieu of charges being filed. 
• Call the police department if you suspect someone is attempting to scam you. Remember, if they don’t want you to hang up the phone, it is a scam. 
• It is nearly impossible to recover money lost in a scam. Once you deposit money, it is gone forever.
• Cryptocurrency ATMs are used for three things: 1) fraud, 2) fraud, and 3) more fraud. 
• For tips on avoiding scams, please visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scams for tips on avoiding scams. 

Budget Summary

• We have 24% of the fiscal year remaining.
• We have $3,219,321 or 39% of our budget remaining.
• View the City of Hendersonville Budget Dashboard

Recruiting/Retention

• 1 of 14 non-sworn employee vacancies exist.
• 2 of 46 Police Officer vacancies exist.
  • (4) applications received
  • (3) in background
  • (0) conditional offer made
  • (0) rejected
  • (0) withdrawn

Learn more about employment with the Hendersonville Police Department.