Hendersonville Police Department
Public Monthly Report

July 2025

Chief’s Monthly Summary 

Thank you to everyone who reads these monthly reports. I appreciate you for taking the time out of your day to spend a few minutes learning more about what we are doing.  

For those who do not know, I am a member of the executive board for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). In that role, I get to help inform policing strategies and establish leading law enforcement practices globally. One way we set public policy is by approving resolutions. Resolutions to communicate our position as an association to our members, the community, and elected officials. Our members use these resolutions to understand a singular strategy on an issue and political leaders use them to support their passing of laws. 

One of the most talked about issues we addressed recently involves the role local police play in immigration enforcement. To that end, we clarified our position concerning the tactics being used primarily by ICE Agents in this country. We focused on officer safety rather than satisfying one political party over another. We agreed that agents cover their faces to protect their anonymity. This is solely an agency policy decision designed to help protect their agents and their families from retaliation. Regardless, immediate identification of an agent as a legitimate federal law enforcement officer is critical for community safety. And lastly, penalties for people who publicly reveal an officer's private information online (doxxing) and attack law enforcement officers and agents should be severe and strictly enforced. 

A second important resolution concerns rhetoric we have heard from both elected and community leaders. Far too often comments shared with their constituents result in violence directed at others. People tend to hang on every word a leader says and then believe it is their duty to act. Time and time again; people become radicalized by the things leaders say publicly. That needs to stop. 

We took a position to admonish both elected and community leaders who call on others to commit violence in an otherwise peaceful society. There is no place, not even on social media, where the call to violence or active resistance is okay. We have rules in our society that we agree to follow so that everyone enjoys peace. We believe it necessary to call this behavior out and remind public leaders that words matter. Again, people should be held accountable for their actions and their words. 

You can download the documents here: https://www.theiacp.org/resources/iacp-board-adopts-resolutions-on-immigration-enforcement-and-inciting-violence
My goal in this role is to have a positive impact on the policing profession extending far beyond the limits of the City of Hendersonville that make our lives better. Let me know what you think.  

One Team, One Goal. #MountainExcellence

Call Statistics

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

Calls For Service

Calls Answered: 5,421; +1% 

Calls Dispatched: 3,378; +1% 

Traffic Safety

Traffic Stops: 416, -15% 

Citations Issued: 185, -4% 

DWI Arrests: 9, +50% 

Motor Vehicle Crashes: 106, -20% 

Injury Crashes: 11, -50% 

Top Five Crash Locations:

1. Four Seasons Blvd at Dana Rd/Duncan Hill Rd 

2.Four Seasons Blvd at Thompson St/Freeman St 

3. Chimney Rock Rd at Howard Gap Rd 

4. King St at 6th Ave E 

5. Spartanburg Hwy at Chadwick Ave 

Crimes, Reports, and Arrests

Custodial Arrests: 100, +25% 

Incident Reports: 112, +13% 

Drug Offenses: 59, +44% 

Larcenies: 44, +57% 

Assaults: 12, +9% 

Employee Actions

• Justin Dufault was sworn in as a Police Officer on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Justin comes to us from Massachusetts with several years of experience in municipal policing. He moved to the area to be closer to family. 

• Officer April Cameron is on leave for military duty. She will return to police duty in early August. 

• An officer’s employment was terminated following an off-duty incident and for dishonesty during the ensuing internal investigation. 

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Safety Tip – Bats

With the increase in calls for service involving bats, we wanted to provide some basic safety information.  

• Bats are primarily nocturnal but can be seen foraging for food around dawn and dusk.  

• Bats are a rabies vector species.  

• Do not approach bats that are active during the day, lying on the ground, or unable to fly. Dial 911 to report. 

• Seal small openings and install screens on your windows, doors, and chimneys. 

• Maintain current rabies vaccination on all pets as required by law. 

Per the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, you cannot evict bats between May 1st thru July 31st annually during their pup-rearing season.  

For a single bat in a living space, you can call the Hendersonville Animal Services Officer at 828-697-3025. Call the Henderson County Health Department 828-692-4223 if you have been in contact with a bat, you suspect has rabies. 

Complaints and Findings

• A citizen complained that an employee was rude during an interaction. A thorough review of the incident was conducted, and the complaint was not sustained. 

• A citizen complained that an officer used excessive force during an arrest. A thorough review of the incident is currently underway, and the outcome is pending. 

• A citizen complained that an officer failed to provide information during a juvenile-related incident. A thorough review is currently underway, and the outcome is pending. 

• A citizen complained that an officer was rude during an encounter. A thorough review of the incident is underway, and the outcome is currently pending. 

Vehicle Pursuits and Findings

• None

Use of Reasonable Force (UORF) Incidents and Findings

• A suspect physically resisted as an officer attempted to make an arrest during an unlawful gathering. The officer took the suspect to the ground to regain control of the situation. There were no injuries in this incident. This use of force was reviewed and found to be reasonable, necessary, and lawful.  

• After responding to a breaking and entering in progress, officers located the suspect who fled, on foot, from the officers. Officers chased and located the suspect hiding under a building. The suspect actively refused to follow lawful commands and was tased. After being tased the suspect cooperated and was taken into custody without further force being applied. This use of force was reviewed and found to be reasonable, necessary, and lawful.  

• While investigating a breaking and entering, an officer located a possible suspect. The suspect became combative and hit the officer several times about the body and head. In response, the officer struck the suspect multiple times to gain compliance. The suspect sustained minor abrasions to his head and body but did not require medical treatment. The officer did not require medical treatment. This use of force was reviewed and found to be reasonable, necessary, and lawful.  

Operations/Notable Events 

• HPD concluded driver’s training. The police department partnered with ABTech and their instructors to provide hands-on training on ABTech’s driving track. Special thanks to ABTech and the partnership that we have with them for this training.  

• HPD participated in the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program ‘Operation Firecracker: Booze It & Lose It’ campaign to crack down on impaired driving around the July 4th holiday. 

• Captain Laws and Lt. Cantwell attended the Red Sand Project hosted by Safelight focusing on bringing awareness to and preventing human trafficking.  

• Detectives and Officers conducted a high-visibility enforcement operation due to numerous complaints involving the sale of drugs in and around Woodcock Drive. Six individuals were arrested and charged with numerous drug offenses. 

• Three Officers were feloniously assaulted with dangerous “mortar-style” fireworks on the night of July 4th. One Officer received injuries from the fireworks exploding near his head requiring treatment at a local hospital. Detectives charged Christopher Tre Bradley and Kendall Rashad Rudisill, both from Hendersonville, as the perpetrators of this crime.  

• HPD and HCSO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Henderson County School Justice Partnership designed to reduce criminal charges in the schools and place more student accountability on the schools.  

Budget Summary

• We are approximately 8% through the fiscal year. 

• We have spent or reserved $656,772 or 8% of our budget. 

Community Outreach/Special Events 

• HPD oversaw the setup and security of the Annual 4th of July Parade. 

• Rhythm and Brews Concert Series continues to be a very successful and highly attended event on South Main Street.  

• HPD has joined the ‘Over the Edge’ fundraiser to support Special Olympics. We have a goal to send Chief Myhand and other team members to rappel down Pendo’s 19th floor in downtown Raleigh on September 27. The community can support Special Olympics by visiting give.specialolympicsnc.com/fundraiser/6502390 to send Chief Myhand over the edge.

Grants Management 

• There are no active grants in progress. 

Recruiting/Retention

• 0 of 14 non-sworn employee vacancies exist. 

• 5 of 48 Police Officer vacancies exist. 

  • (2) applications received 

  • (2) in background 

  • (0) conditional offer made 

  • (0) rejected 

  • (0) withdrawn