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Prior to his relocation to Salisbury, former Police Chief Jerry Stokes had begun to assemble a group of residents in Lynchburg, Va., as part of the Police Chief’s Citizen Advisory Board (CAB). He retired from the Lynchburg Police Department before the group got in to full swing, but he brought the same concept of collaborating with community members to Salisbury. 

According to its charter, the mission of the CAB is “to create a forum of citizens and leaders from within the City of Salisbury citizenry to collaboratively address the immediate and future needs of the Salisbury Police Department by researching, planning, reviewing assigned and selected cases or matters, providing advice on department policies, and recommending solutions that will integrate and prioritize the best-case practices.”

“Through this group, we are searching for ways to improve community interactions and relationships with the police, but more importantly develop strategies to keep people safe,” said the former chief. “My hope is that this advisory group will advise us on how we can improve relationships, and as we implement ideas, let us know if we are on the right path.”

The multi-member board – two neighborhood representatives from a grouping of city neighborhoods divided in to nine areas based on demographics data analysis, and one representative from each of the major institutions in the city, such as Livingstone College, Catawba College, and the NAACP. Applications are accepted, reviewed and vetted by the initial CAB membership committee. Many of the citizens who have assisted SPD thus far have been involved in the Public Safety Community Action Team.

“We may explore combining these two groups since they both have a common goal, but it is still very early in the implementation,” said the former chief.  To apply to be a member of the CAB, complete the online or print application (below). There is no deadline to apply. Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis.

POLICE CHIEF

Patrick Smith

(704) 216-7581 | psmit@salisburync.gov

Throughout his tenure with Salisbury, Smith held various positions with ever-increasing leadership responsibilities. He began his career in law enforcement 18 years ago as a SPD patrol officer. In 2009, he was promoted to criminal investigation detective. Five years later, he was elevated to patrol sergeant and then was promoted to lieutenant over the special investigations division in 2018.

Most recently, he held the position of captain over the investigations bureau. There, Smith supervised the services bureau comprised of seven units: general investigations, violent crimes investigations, vice/narcotics, neighborhood crime abatement team, the crime lab, organizational development, and hiring. These units are responsible for specialized investigations that go beyond the routine response of daily operations of the department and require that its personnel have specialized skills and training. In addition to hiring, organizational development is responsible for leading the department’s internal practices and employee career enhancements.

Smith has led various crime reduction strategies throughout his tenure, including increasing community engagement relationships and implementing the Chief Jerry Stokes Crime Information Center. He also managed crime analytics and records division staff.

Before joining the Salisbury Police Department, Smith worked at Salisbury’s Food Lion corporate office from 1990 until 2004. While with Food Lion, he managed retail, distribution, human resources, and procurement.

Smith has been a part of the community for nearly 50 years after his family moved to Salisbury from Greensboro when he was three months old. He and his wife have four children and three grandchildren.

Smith holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia College in criminal justice and will receive his master’s degree in leadership with a concentration in human resource management from Pfeiffer University this December.

Deputy Police Chief Brian Stalllings

DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF

Brian Stallings

(704) 638-2142 | bstal@salisburync.gov

Deputy Police Chief Brian Stallings, a native of Richfield, N.C., began his law enforcement career in the Salisbury Police Department (SPD) in 1996 as a patrol officer. Over the course of his tenure he has also served as a victim’s advocate, an investigator, police sergeant overseeing general investigations and as a lieutenant directing the criminal investigations division.

In 2014, he was promoted to captain where he currently manages the department's Training/Recruitment Division, Internal Affairs and Records personnel.

Stallings double-majored in criminal justice and sociology at Pfeiffer University. He also holds a MBA from the same institution. In addition to his educational accomplishments, he has an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission, and was previously named the SPD’s “Veteran Officer of the Year.”

Get Involved in Local Government

MANY OPTIONS


The City of Salisbury has 14 active, standing boards and commissions created and appointed by Salisbury City Council.

REQUIREMENTS


Board terms are staggered for two-year or three-year terms and most end on March 31. Applicants must be 18 and a Salisbury resident, with some exceptions.


Orientation Booklet

APPLY


Applications, both online and print, are accepted on a continual basis and kept on file for consideration in the event a vacancy occurs. Application for the Police Chief's Advisory Board can be found here.


Online Application

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