Bill Harrell has come full circle in his law enforcement career after being named Franklin’s new chief of police, 27 years after he joined the force as a rookie cop.
Harrell, who takes the helm on June 1, has served as police chief in Highlands for almost 15 years.
“That’s been a fantastic experience that hopefully groomed me for this transition back to my hometown,” he said.
Harrell has lived in Franklin during his tenure as Highlands chief, so he knows the town well.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge to catch up and get my head around that completely, but I feel like it will be a quick learning curve,” Harrell said.
Former chief David Adams left FPD on Feb. 14 to take over as police chief in Hendersonville. Capt. Danny Bates has been serving as acting chief since Adams’ departure.
Harrell said he isn’t planning to make significant structural changes to the department right away. He said the department is already in transition following the recent retirements of Det. Tracy Chastain and Capt. Stephen Apel, officers Harrell worked with as a rookie.
“I’m looking at the idea of whether there’s any restructuring of the department that might be necessary,” Harrell said. “I just need to look at any changes so that it is more efficient. What can we do to make us better able to serve the community?”
Harrell began his law enforcement career in 1993 when he joined the Franklin Police Department as a rookie patrol officer. After stints in Morganton as a public safety officer and in Hickory working in the federal housing drug unit, he came back to Franklin to serve as the first school resource officer for the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.
“That was wonderful,” he said. “I was spread across the county, so I was very busy, but I enjoyed it. I got to meet a lot of fantastic teachers, faculties, students and parents.”
Harrell was later promoted to detective, where he served until he was appointed chief in Highlands.
In a press released issued previously, Harrell said that heading up FPD had been a “dream from the time I was a rookie for the Town of Franklin almost 27 years ago. I am nervously excited for this opportunity.”