police chief honored

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Steve Huffman
Salisbury Post
SPENCER ó Spencer Police Chief Robert Bennett has been appointed a regional director of the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police.
Bennett, 50, was appointed during the association’s recent winter meeting in Asheville. It marks the second consecutive year that the honor has been bestowed upon Bennett, who has served as Spencer’s police chief for five years.
“I’m very proud,” Bennett said.
About 200 chiefs of police from across the state are members of the association, he said, and there are nine regional directors. Bennett will represent Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin counties.
Bennett said the association is called upon by the governor to appoint chiefs for a variety of commissions, including the Governor’s Crime Commission and the N.C. Training and Standards Commission.
“The governor will say, ‘We need law enforcement representation’ and ask us to appoint someone,” Bennett said.
In addition to nine regional directors, the association includes an executive board that is made up of a president, a former president, a vice president, a secretary and a sergeant at arms.
Spencer Mayor Jody Everhart said he’s always been impressed with Bennett’s work ethic, and the longer the two serve the town the more impressed he grows.
“He tries to do what’s fair for his officers and the town,” Everhart said
Bennett never comes to the Board of Aldermen with outlandish funding requests, he said.
“He’ll always explain his needs and why he needs them,” Everhart said.
nnn
Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222 or shuffman@ salisburypost.com.