Chris Hill has been promoted to the position of Chief of Police for the City of Kannapolis. He was previously serving as the Deputy Chief of the department.
As Chief of Police he will be responsible for a department that consists of 131 sworn and non-sworn positions. His role is to ensure that the department prevents crime, protects people and property, and enforces laws and ordinances.
“Chris brings 17 years of experience and a proven commitment to the Kannapolis community to his role within the police department. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of divisions, gaining valuable experience while building strong relationships with residents, business owners and community partners. We have been impressed by Chris’s calm, thoughtful and level-headed approach to leadership, particularly when it comes to crime prevention, problem-solving and navigating challenging situations. Kannapolis has a long-standing tradition of police leadership built on strong community relationships, and Chris has consistently demonstrated those same qualities throughout his career. We look forward to his continued leadership and to the experience, professionalism and commitment he will bring to the Kannapolis Police Department,” said Kannapolis City Manager Wilmer Melton.
““I am honored to be chosen as the next Chief of Police. I am excited to lead the men and women of this agency as we continue to build upon the great reputation of the Kannapolis Police Department. I love the Kannapolis community and look forward to continuing working with community members to advance our goals of building bridges with residents and business owners. Proactively working together allows us to communicate and collaborate as our City evolves,” stated Hill.
The Kannapolis Police Department has three primary components: Field Operations, Support Services and Special Operations. Field Operations includes the patrol division and Support Services includes criminal investigations and technical services (records and 911 telecommunications). Special Operations encompasses recruitment, training, the traffic unit, the reserve officer and park ranger operations, internal affairs and community services programs such as D.A.R.E. and Crime Prevention.
Kannapolis is the one of the largest cities in North Carolina and has been recognized as having a crime rate that is low – the crime rate is 37% lower than the state average and the crime rate has dropped over the last five years.
Chris joined the Kannapolis Police Department in 2009 as a patrol officer. Since then, he has served as an investigator, a field training officer, instructor and field force operator. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2014, Lieutenant in 2020, and Captain in 2021. He was named Deputy Police Chief in 2024. As Deputy Police Chief he oversaw the efficient operation of the three bureaus of the police department and assisted in the implementation of department policies, plans and strategies.
Chris is a native of Russell, New York and graduated from the State University of New York at Canton with an associate degree in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Technology degree in Criminal Investigation. He also graduated from East Carolina University with a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Public Management and Leadership. He has been awarded the Advanced Law Enforcement Certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission. He has also graduated from the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association training program and is a graduate of the 98th session of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. He has completed the Cabarrus Chamber Leadership Program and been involved in various community organizations.
In 2014 he received the Roger Dale Carter Memorial Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Kannapolis Police Department. He has also received two-unit commendations and a safe driving award. He is an active member of Coddle Creek ARP Church. He has previously volunteered with Ducks Unlimited to benefit wetlands conservation and area schools. He is the son of Roger and Deborah Hill of Richfield, N.C. Chris and his wife, Claire, have three children.
Chris is the 13th person to serve as Chief of Police in the 114-year history of the City of Kannapolis and only the fifth since the City’s incorporation in 1984.
Kannapolis Chiefs of Police
Marion Talbert - 1909-1910
Robert E. Goble - 1910-1921
J.L. Boger- 1921-1924
Ira T. Chapman - 1924-1952
Henry T. Barnes - 1952-1956
E.M. Logan - 1956-1958
Claude Stewart - 1958-1961
R.L. Ketchie - 1961-1982
Ira T. Yow - 1982-1991
Paul D. Brown - 1991-2007
James “Woody” Chavis Jr. - 2007-2019
Terry Spry - 2020-2026
Chris Hill - 2026-