Chris Hill took the Oath of Office to serve as Kannapolis Police Chief last night during the Kannapolis City Council Meeting. His family joined him as he was sworn in by City Clerk Pam Scaggs.
As Chief of Police, he will be responsible for a department of 131 sworn and non-sworn personnel. His role is to ensure the department prevents crime, protects people and property, and enforces laws and ordinances. Over the last 17 years he has worked in every division of the department.
“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,” commented Hill.
Hill has been with the department for 17 years and served in many positions including most recently as Deputy Police Chief.
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.
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.