ALBEMARLE — While his duties officially began back on Oct. 4, 2021, Jason Bollhurst was publicly sworn in as the Albemarle Police Department’s new police chief on Monday morning, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief David Dulin.
Bollhurst transferred to his new position in Stanly County from the Newport News (Virginia) Police Department with over two decades of law enforcement experience, including five years as a captain at his prior agency.
“After 26 years in Newport News growing and learning what leadership is about and what it is to take care of a community and the community take care of us, it developed me to be in a position I’m in now to be a chief in another city,” Bollhurst said. “Finding a city that would connect with me and that I could connect with as well was imperative — I found it here in Albemarle.”
Back in Virginia, the new Albemarle chief spent two years with the Professional Standards Division, which housed Training and Internal Affairs, over two years as the Commander of South Precinct in the Patrol Division, as well as one year with the Special Investigations Division. Additionally, Bollhurst held supervisory positions for 10 years in Patrol Operations, Tactical Operations (SWAT) and Investigations.
Addressing a full room inside the Albemarle Police Headquarters made up of former and new co-workers, city officials and his family members (including his wife Sherrie and three daughters: Caitlin, Madison and Sydney), Bollhurst said he was excited to be in a “beautiful city where a lot of great things are happening.”
“The city council, the mayor and the business leaders are phenomenal, and they work well together here. We’re a team and all the other department heads and the city are just incredible. The city manager has just built a structure for us to come together as a team and get things done. So, I’m just so pleased to be here and to be a part of this.”
Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael officiated the swearing-in process and vocalized his support of Bollhurst’s new job position, commenting on the importance of strong leadership in a city with an oncoming residential surge.
Over the last 18 months, the Albemarle City Council has already approved over 2,000 new homes.
“Timing is everything they say. In the last five years, our city has seen historic retail growth,” Michael said. “Now in the next five to 10 years, we are going to see tremendous residential growth…our population is going to explode. Chief, you’re going to face your challenges — some good and some not so good. And while you do not directly work for the city council or myself, we look forward to supporting you.”
Bollhurst, a graduate from the 66th Class of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute, holds a bachelor of science degree from Christopher Newport University in governmental administration as well as an associate’s degree from Thomas Nelson Community College in police science.