WELCOME

The mission of the Laurel Park Police Department is to provide services and protection to residents, businesses, and visitors through community policing where the police are responsive to the needs of the community 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Our primary duty and concern is maintaining peace and security throughout the Town. We urge you to become involved in reporting any suspicious incidents, persons, or vehicles. Timely reporting is a great aid in solving crime and keeping our Town safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (828) 692-9399. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.

POLICE SERVICES

The Laurel Park Police Department provides an array of public safety services. A brief synopsis of these is covered below.

• Crime Prevention: The Department works closely with the community to help prevent crime through education of crime risks and institution of action to reduce or remove the risk.
• Criminal Investigation: The Department investigates all crimes occurring within the Town limits. From time to time the Department may enlist the help of outside agencies such as the SBI or FBI.
• Patrol: This is the main function of the Department. An effective patrol results in the protection of life and property, safe movement of vehicular traffic, crime deterrence, and maintenance of public order. Patrol officers are responsible for answering all initial calls for service and completing the necessary follow up. Officers are on duty 24/7.
• Communications: The Police Department is dispatched by the communications center at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. This same center is also the 911 call center.
• Support Services: The Department provides all necessary reports, records, property, and evidence as required for prosecution in court. All documentation needed for uniform crime reporting is also kept.
• Security/Residence Checks: As a function of patrol, these types of checks are performed on a daily basis. Residents that are absent for extended periods of time may request a check of their property. These checks are performed daily. A log is kept and returned to the resident outlining our performance upon your return home. To request a check, you may call, come in person, or download a form. This is a free service, and there is no limit to the number of times the service can be utilized. (Printable Form)
• Other Agencies: The Police Department maintains a working relationship with numerous agencies in the criminal justice system. A list of the prominent relationships includes the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, Hendersonville Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation, State Highway Patrol, and the District Attorneys Office.
• Emergency Management: The Police Department is able to handle all types of natural, weather, and man-made disasters. The Police Department handles evacuations as needed as well as any other type of disaster response. The Chief of Police serves as the Town Coordinator for emergency management.

PERSONNEL

The Town presently has 11 police officers. Of this number, 7 are full-time officers, and 4 are part-time (reserve) officers. Officers are pictured in the below photo. A short biography of each officer follows.

Back Row: (Phillip Whitaker, Allan Bonanno, Chief Don Fisher, Lt. Gray Mullen)

Front Row: (resigned from LPD, resigned from LPD, Kevin Swanson, Jason Richie,
                    Bobby Clifford)

Chief Don Fisher - The Chief has been involved in law enforcement in this county in some capacity since 1978. Don started as an administrative clerk at the Hendersonville Police Department upon graduation from West Henderson High School. He continued working summers at the Hendersonville Police Department while attending Western Carolina University. Don became a full-time officer in 1982 with Hendersonville and worked there until 1987. Don then joined the Henderson County Sheriff's Office and was there until 1993. He has been Chief of Police in Laurel Park since 1993. Don has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Carolina University in Criminal Justice as well as Advanced Certificates from both Criminal Justice and Sheriff's Standards. In 2007, Don served as President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.

Lt. Gray Mullen - Gray stated law enforcement in 2000. Gray serves as the top field supervisor. He has an Associates Degree from Brevard College in history.

Eric Capell - not pictured - Eric has been with the Department over 10 years and is a reserve officer. Eric is a full-time Captain with the Henderson County Emergency Medical Service.

Phillip Whitaker - Phillip has over 13 years experience. Phillip is a reserve and owns his own business, Liberty House Buildings.

Kevin Swanson – Kevin is a reserve officer with nearly 20 years experience as a law enforcement officer. His various positions include supervisor, field training officer, school resource officer, and swat team.

Alan Bonanno – Alan has previous experience as a police officer in Asheville. Alan is working on his associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Robert Clifford – Robert “Bobby” started in law enforcement in 2008. This is his first job in law enforcement.

LINKS

Henderson County Sheriff's Office
www.hendersoncountync.org

North Carolina Court System
www.nccourts.org

North Carolina Department of Justice
www.ncdoj.org

North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police
www.ncpolicechief.org