KANNAPOLIS ó The Kannapolis Police Department has promoted four members of the department. Steve Belk and Ken Jackson have been promoted to lieutenant. Travis Furr and Justin Smith have been promoted to sergeant.
“These four individuals participated and excelled in a rigorous promotional process,” Kannapolis Police Chief Woody Chavis said in a press release. “They all have displayed the qualities necessary to lead our agency into the future. I am very proud of all of them and their accomplishments. It gives me great satisfaction to know that we have capable, dedicated officers willing to take on more responsible supervisory roles within the agency.”
Belk began his career with the department as a patrol officer in January 1989. Since that time, he has served in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigation divisions. In addition to his regular duties, Belk is a certified polygraph examiner and a member of the agency’s Ceremonial Honor Guard.
Belk earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 1995 and a bachelor of arts from Pfeiffer University in 2001.
Jackson joined the department as a patrol officer in August 1997. Jackson has also served in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions and is a certified polygraph examiner and member of the agency’s Ceremonial Honor Guard.
Jackson is a graduate of A.L. Brown High School and served four years in the U.S. Army, where he earned numerous badges, ribbons, and medals, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He worked for the N.C. Department of Correction for seven years before coming to Kannapolis. He earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 1997.
Furr joined the department as a patrol officer in August 1998. He is a field training officer and has been awarded his Advanced Law Enforcement Certification by the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission. Furr was presented the Roger Dale Carter Memorial Service Award in May 2005.
Furr holds two associate degrees from Haywood and Rowan Cabarrus Community Colleges. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University.
Smith joined the department as a patrol officer in August 2001. Since that time, he has served in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigation divisions and is a field training Officer. He was awarded the Rowan Optimist Club’s Officer of the Year Award in May 2006.
Smith is a graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School and served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was awarded various honors including four Certificates of Commendation, two Overseas Service awards, Good Conduct Medal, and Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Smith holds an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate from the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.