Assistant Chief Kevin B. Leonard

Assistant Chief Kevin Leonard is the liaison and staff command for the Office of the Chief of Police, where he provides control, accountability, and coordination of department staff, internal components, and special projects. In this capacity, he oversees the Recruiting Unit and the Evidence Management, Planning, and Personnel Management sections; provides oversight of all policy revision/implementation; makes final hiring recommendations, and serves as chief in the absence of the police chief.

Leonard began his law enforcement career in 1981. He was assigned to the Patrol Division, Traffic Enforcement Unit (Motorcycle Squad), and Special Enforcement Team prior to being promoted to Sergeant in 1990. He supervised the Department’s first Foot Patrol Units, served as the first Use of Force Coordinator, and supervised patrol activity until promotion to Lieutenant in November, 1999. He was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division prior to transfer to the Special Operations Division in November, 2000 where he commanded the Traffic Enforcement Unit (Motorcycle Squad), the Special Enforcement Team, the Downtown Bike Patrol Unit, the Crime Prevention Unit, the K-9 Unit, and Fleet Management. In March, 2004 he was promoted to Captain and was assigned to the Professional Standards Division in 2006 until promoted to Assistant Chief in 2008.

Assistant Chief Leonard graduated from High Point University with a B.A. degree in Organizational Psychology. He was awarded the advanced law enforcement certificate in 1990 and has been a certified law enforcement instructor since 1987, holding specialty certifications in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Subject Control, Physical Fitness, Police Motorcycle Operations, and SWAT Instruction.

Assistant Chief Leonard and family are members of Sedge Garden United Methodist Church.