May 17

May 17 Dustin Carter becomes chief of Thomasville Police Department

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Media Release

May 16, 2023: City Manager Michael Brandt announced at the May Thomasville City Council meeting that Interim Chief, Dustin Carter was selected as the next Chief of Police for the Thomasville Police Department. Newly appointed Chief Carter stated; “I am honored, humble, and grateful for the opportunity to be selected as the next chief to lead and serve such a great group of police officers. I will do my best to ensure the Thomasville Police Department continues to deliver professional police services that the citizens of Thomasville deserve and have come to expect,” said Chief Carter.

Dustin Carter has been serving with the Thomasville Police Department for more than 24 years and most recently, has been serving as the Interim Chief of Police since January 2023 following Chief Mark Kattner’s announcement to retire. Prior to his appointment as Interim Chief, Carter had served as the department’s Major since May 2019. Carter has also served in many different leadership roles within the department including, Field Operations Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain, Criminal Investigations Sergeant, Special Operations Lieutenant, and the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Commander. Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University in 1998, as well as a master’s degree in Justice Administration from the University of the Cumberlands in 2020.

Carter is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, class #409 and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Chief’s Institute, Session #1. Carter is also recipient of the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s trilogy award for completing all three courses, the Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute, and Executive Leadership Institute. Carter also attended the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute Executive Management and Leadership course, as well as a graduate of Leadership Davidson County, hosted by the Thomasville and Lexington Area Chambers of Commerce.

Carter has been an adjunct instructor for Davidson-Davie Community College since 2009 and is certified to teach Subject Control and Arrest Techniques for Basic Law Enforcement Training. He is also a certified National Child Passenger Safety Technician with Safe Kids Worldwide and holds current certifications as a Basic Life Support and CPR instructor through the American Heart Association, as well as Rapid Deployment Instructor through the North Carolina Justice Academy. Carter also holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate through the NC Justice Academy and is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Tactical Officer’s Association.

Carter is a native of Davidson County and enjoys spending time with his wife, Jodie Carter and two children, Trevor and Karson. In his spare time, Carter enjoys hiking, backpacking, and Administration Department volunteering as a youth wrestling coach. He is active in his community and serves as a board member for Family Services of Davidson County and United Way of Davidson County.

The Thomasville Police Department proudly serves the residents and community of Thomasville with a “Commitment to protecting and serving our community, creating a safe environment through partnerships, and safeguarding the rights of all individuals (TPD Mission Statement).”

Inquiries may be made to Assistant City Manager, Eddie Bowling (Eddie.Bowling@Thomasville–NC.gov) or City Manager, Michael Brandt (Michael.Brandt@Thomasville-NC.gov).