Hendersonville Police Department
Public Monthly Report

May 2026

Chief’s Monthly Summary 

There are a lot of things that make Hendersonville a great place to live. Our weather is mostly tremendous year-round. Our views are unmatched in most cities. The pace of life is far more comfortable (in my opinion) than life in larger metropolitan areas. And, violent crime is almost nonexistent. 

I feel incredibly safe in the city. I hope you too feel safe here. I read the daily reports, and the data supports the fact that you are unlikely to ever be the victim of violent crime in this city. You are safer walking the streets here than in other cities partly because our officers and staff are so good at their work. Still, no city is completely immune from crime. 

Last month we reported how a woman was assaulted when a man grabbed her buttocks on an early morning walk. I can only imagine her shock at first. Thankfully, she successfully defended herself using a “stun gun” against her attacker. Outstanding!!!  

Officers immediately arrested the man and turned him over to the Sheriff. Their response was fast, their investigation focused, and their action swift. They clearly prevented further crime from happening by this man and made our community safer that day. Your officers will always pursue criminals, protect the innocent, and perform in the best interest of public safety.  

In the pages of this report, we continue providing information about what happened over the past month. A lot goes into creating this monthly report. Staff input information to be more open and honest with you than you will find in any other city. We report the good and the bad. We even report the good and bad on ourselves. Rare is that amount of openness. From what I hear, most of you appreciate our transparency.  

I want you to know what this department is doing. Yet, we cannot share everything and sometimes the details are intentionally vague. I walk a fine line of keeping you informed while also protecting the accused. This report is kept succinct so you can easily digest it without us releasing sensitive information.  

This report is for you. That said, I do not share everything going on here. I lead a staff of almost 70 full-time employees. Their wellbeing and employment rights are my priority. Your safety is my priority also. Balancing both interests can be challenging on occasion; a fine line to be sure.  

Our mission is to “Serve with Excellence.” I never promise to be perfect. Excellence, however, is a moving target. Sometimes you hit, other times you miss. If I fail to meet your expectations with this report, let me know. I am always willing to listen and get better. I appreciate you and look forward to our continued partnership in keeping Hendersonville great. 

One Team, One Goal. #MountainExcellence

Call Statistics

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

Calls For Service

• Calls Answered: 5,113; -0.97%
• Calls Dispatched: 2,643; -0.98%

Traffic Safety

• Traffic Stops: 292; -4.6% 
• Citations Issued: 161; +1.9%
• DWI Arrests: 6; -33.3%
• Motor Vehicle Crashes: 93; - 19.8%
• Injury Crashes: 12; -7.7%

Top Five Crash Locations

1. Asheville Hwy at Haywood Rd (4) 
2. 6th Ave E. at King St (2) 
3. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd at Ashe St (2) 
4. Thompson St at Signal Hill Rd (2) 
5. Chimney Rock Rd at I-26 (2) 

Crimes, Reports, and Arrests

• Custodial Arrests: 69; +10% 

• Incident Reports: 108; -34% 

• Drug Offenses: 11; -35% 

• Larcenies: 24; -35% 

• Assaults: 12; -8% 

Employee Actions

• Communications & Technology Bureau Manager Amber Kleppe graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. This ten-week course, spread out over five months, prepares students with executive management/leadership skills needed for the challenges of leadership in policing. Amber joins three other graduates from the department to complete this program. Congratulations, Amber! 

Lieutenant Robert Cantwell (left), Communications & Technology Bureau Manager Amber Kleppe (center), and Chief Blair Myhand (right) 

• Rene Rosales, Adam Gurreri, Katrina Kordonowy, and Tyler Cuthbert accepted conditional offers of employment. All four will attend Basic Law Enforcement Training at AB Tech in July as Police Officers in Training. Their anticipated graduation date is December 2026. 

• Chief Myhand, along with Black Mountain and Marion Police Chiefs, Steve Parker and Allen Lawrence, presented to the Alabama FBI National Academy Associates on the department’s response to Hurricane Helene. 

• Officers traveled to Raleigh to participate in the final leg of the Special Olympics Torch Run. More than 500 participants from across the state joined the run.  

Various law enforcement agencies supporting Special Olympics North Carolina

• Joreeca Dinnall was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit as a new detective. Detective Dinnall has been with HPD for over six years and most recently served as the SRO for Hendersonville High School. 

• All sworn staff completed driver training this month. This is the second consecutive year of a formalized driver training program designed to reinforce good driving practices. 

• Lt. Alan Bonanno graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master of Public Safety degree. This accomplishment follows two years of intense study and application of the curriculum. Way to go, Alan! 

Lieutenant Alan Bonanno

• Police Social Worker Cammy Holt graduated from Western Carolina University with a Master of Social Work degree. This accomplishment signifies a many-year academic journey for Cammy. We are excited to have her on board and fully capable of performing admirably as our Police Social Worker. 

Police Social Worker Cammy Holt

• Lt. Alan Bonanno accepted an offer to become the Deputy Chief of Police for the Brevard Police Department. His expected start date is July 6, 2026. 

Complaints and Findings

• An external complaint was received alleging an employee sent nude photos to a teenager. The allegation was found to be completely false, and no misconduct occurred. The investigation is unfounded.  

Vehicle Pursuits and Findings

• None

Use of Reasonable Force (UORF) Incidents and Findings

• Officers knocked a fleeing suspect on the ground during a foot pursuit. Officers then used soft hand techniques to handcuff the suspect. This use of force was reviewed and determined to have been reasonable, necessary, and lawful. There were no injuries.  

• Officers used soft hand techniques to handcuff a resisting suspect for communicating threats. This use of force was reviewed and found to have been reasonable, necessary, and lawful. There were no injuries.  

• Officers used soft hand techniques to subdue a combative medical patient who punched a first responder. The person was transported for additional medical treatment. This use of force was reviewed and found to have been reasonable, necessary, and lawful. There were no injuries to the suspect or law enforcement officers involved.  

• Officers responded to reports of an individual standing on the roof of his car parked in the roadway. The intoxicated suspect would not follow lawful commands to get down from the vehicle. An officer then pulled the suspect onto the hood where officers arrested him without further force being applied. This use of force was reviewed and found to have been reasonable, necessary, and lawful. There were no injuries.  

Operations and Notable Events 

• Two men used a handgun to rob a gas station cashier at 1505 Asheville Hwy. Both were quickly identified and arrested within four hours of the robbery. The suspects are charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.  

• The Henderson County SWAT team executed search warrants from two separate investigations on White Sparrow and Goldfinch Drives. Arrests were made and evidence recovered in both instances relating the sale and possession of illegal drugs. 

• There were no identifiable crime trends to note this month. 

License Plate Recognition Systems (LPRS) Monthly Usage

• Detectives used LPRS to identify and track the vehicle used in the gas station robbery resulting in two men being charged with felony Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. 
• Traffic units used LPRS to identify and track down the operator of a vehicle who struck a building and left the scene. 
• Officers used LPRS to locate and arrest an individual wanted for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. 
• By clicking the link below, you can see exactly how LPRS are being used by the Hendersonville Police Department. 

View LPRS usage

• By clicking the link below, you can view the department’s policy governing LPRS.

View LPRS Policy

Community Outreach and Special Events

• 6th Annual Jump Off Rock Half Marathon Start/End was held in the 500 block of Main St.  

• Garden Jubilee experienced rainy weather but was still a successful event. This was a full Main St. closure event.  

SRO Activities

• Another successful school year has ended. SRO’s will be shifting their responsibilities to supplementing patrol while also working STAR camp with our city schools.  

Fraud

• We received 13 reports of fraud this month. Please remember to be very suspicious of unsolicited phone calls that ask for money of any type, especially wire transfers and gift card purchases. Never be afraid to hang the phone up and contact the Police Department if there is any doubt.  

• You can report cyber-enabled crime to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and access further resources and data collection by the FBI.

Visit the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center Website 

• You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and access resources and data provided by the FTC.

Visit the FTC's Website

Budget Summary

• We have 5.75% of the fiscal year remaining.
• We have 12.56% of our budget remaining.

Visit the City of Hendersonville Budget Dashboard​​​​​​​

Recruiting and Retention

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

Learn more about employment with the Hendersonville Police Department​​​​​​​