Police Administration View the Department’s Organizational Chart Chief David Zack David Zack was appointed to Chief of Police for the Asheville Police Department on February 4, 2020. He began his career in law enforcement in 1984 where he worked as a New York State Corrections Officer at both Sing Sing and Attica Correctional Facilities. In 1987 he joined the Cheektowaga Police Department and rose through the ranks serving in a number of different roles, including patrol supervisor and Detective Bureau Commander, before being named Chief in 2011. During his career in Cheektowaga he also served as the President of the Erie County Chiefs of Police Association, President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, and was a member of the Board of Governors of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Zack’s other accomplishments include introducing the first Fair and Impartial Police (FIP) training program in the state of New York, receiving the National Federation for Just Communities Law Enforcement Leadership Award in 2016, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) President’s Award for his role in creating the first crisis intervention team in Erie County. Chief Zack holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College and has been an instructor of forensic science and crime scene photography for several colleges and universities. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police. Contact Information: Office: 828-259-5813 dzack@ashevillenc.gov Deputy Chief James Baumstark Deputy Chief James “Jim” Baumstark Deputy Chief James “Jim” Baumstark started with the Asheville Police Department (APD) on November 9, 2015. Prior to his arrival, he served with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCDP) in Fairfax, Virginia for more than 26 years. He held the rank of Captain when he left FCPD to join APD. As Captain, he oversaw operations, administrative, and investigative responsibilities for the Franconia District Station, Criminal Intelligence Unit, the FCPD Gang Unit, a grant-funded Human Trafficking Task Force, and he served as Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center. Deputy Chief Baumstark received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Virginia Tech. He has advanced leadership training through the Professional Executive Leadership School from the University of Richmond Business School, Key Executive Masters Certificate Program through the Naval Postgraduate School. Deputy Chief Baumstark is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 274. Contact Information: Office: 828-259-5539 jbaumstark@ashevillenc.gov Assistant to the Chief of Police Jerri Jameson joined the Asheville Police Department in December 2018 as the Assistant to the Chief. Jameson studied broadcasting at City College where she also went on to teach Broadcast News. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University. Jameson previously worked in hospitality management and entertainment, followed by radio where she worked as a reporter and editor in the Miami and Palm Beach Beach, Florida markets. In 1998, Jameson was recruited to Asheville to head up sales and marketing for a manufacturing company that went on to become the leading manufacturer of its products in the nation. In 2002 James returned to the airwaves at 570 WWNC Radio. She served as the News Director for what is now iHeartMedia, and host of the Morning Report on WWNC. Jameson eventually left radio to join the communications team at Mission Health. She then served as Regional Communications Officer with the American Red Cross, deploying in public affairs roles in response to regional and national disasters before finally joining the Asheville Police Department. Contact Information: Office: 828-251-4056 jjameson@ashevillenc.gov Related Services Crime prevention How to prevent crimes and protect your family and belongings. 11 Services Pet services Learn about what kinds of pets can be kept in Asheville, as well as processes for licenses and pet vaccination requirements. 7 Services Apply to be a law enforcement explorer Apply to get hands on experience from The Asheville Police Department Explorer Post (#57) This is designed for applicants age 14 to 20. Terrorism awareness information See Something, Say Something... Report tips and crime to your local law enforcement. City job opportunities – Police Department Learn about job opportunities with the Asheville Police Department, including the hiring process and eligibility requirements to become a police officer. Sign up for AVL Alert Keep updated through the City of Asheville on emergency and non-emergency subscriptions. Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov. Sign up for the Citizen’s Police Academy Apply for the Citizens Police Academy to learn about the police department and law enforcement. Make a home inventory Learn how having a home inventory is essential to insurance claims or property recovery efforts in case of a disaster, fire, or a burglary. Report a crime How to report a crime, including how to remain anonymous and be eligible in some cases for a cash reward. Dispose of prescription medication Safely discard prescription medication by dropping it off at the Asheville Police Department drop-off box. Retrieve property from police How to retrieve found property that is in possession of the police. More Related Services Police Administration News Asheville inquiry into police protest response expands to include roles for City Council, City Attorney Posted on June 15, 2020 by Polly McDaniel In support of Asheville Police Chief David Zack’s recommendation of an outside independent investigation into Asheville Police’s response to recent protests, City Council has requested that the City Attorney’s Office, under the direction of City Attorney Brad Branham, lead the effort to select the investigator. This move is aimed at maximizing accountability and transparency to [...] City of Asheville to hire independent team to review methods, tactics used during recent protests Posted on June 12, 2020June 16, 2020 by Polly McDaniel During Asheville City Council’s June 9 meeting, Asheville Police Chief David Zack reported to Council that the City of Asheville had hired a transparency engagement advisory firm to assist the Asheville Police Department with disseminating public information. These advisors from Cole Pro Media are here to help us deliver our messages in a transparent and [...] Medic support area established for downtown public assemblies Posted on June 4, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, City Manager Debra Campbell, Asheville Police Deputy Chief James Baumstark and Lieutenant Brandon Moore met with UNC Asheville Chancellor Nancy Cable, UNC Asheville students and others who provided medical supplies during Tuesday’s demonstration. The discussion focused on ways to enhance communication and collaboration. The City of Asheville agreed to reimburse the staff [...] More Police Administration News
Apply to be a law enforcement explorer Apply to get hands on experience from The Asheville Police Department Explorer Post (#57) This is designed for applicants age 14 to 20.
Terrorism awareness information See Something, Say Something... Report tips and crime to your local law enforcement.
City job opportunities – Police Department Learn about job opportunities with the Asheville Police Department, including the hiring process and eligibility requirements to become a police officer.
Sign up for AVL Alert Keep updated through the City of Asheville on emergency and non-emergency subscriptions.
Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov.
Sign up for the Citizen’s Police Academy Apply for the Citizens Police Academy to learn about the police department and law enforcement.
Make a home inventory Learn how having a home inventory is essential to insurance claims or property recovery efforts in case of a disaster, fire, or a burglary.
Report a crime How to report a crime, including how to remain anonymous and be eligible in some cases for a cash reward.
Dispose of prescription medication Safely discard prescription medication by dropping it off at the Asheville Police Department drop-off box.
Asheville inquiry into police protest response expands to include roles for City Council, City Attorney Posted on June 15, 2020 by Polly McDaniel In support of Asheville Police Chief David Zack’s recommendation of an outside independent investigation into Asheville Police’s response to recent protests, City Council has requested that the City Attorney’s Office, under the direction of City Attorney Brad Branham, lead the effort to select the investigator. This move is aimed at maximizing accountability and transparency to [...]
City of Asheville to hire independent team to review methods, tactics used during recent protests Posted on June 12, 2020June 16, 2020 by Polly McDaniel During Asheville City Council’s June 9 meeting, Asheville Police Chief David Zack reported to Council that the City of Asheville had hired a transparency engagement advisory firm to assist the Asheville Police Department with disseminating public information. These advisors from Cole Pro Media are here to help us deliver our messages in a transparent and [...]
Medic support area established for downtown public assemblies Posted on June 4, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, City Manager Debra Campbell, Asheville Police Deputy Chief James Baumstark and Lieutenant Brandon Moore met with UNC Asheville Chancellor Nancy Cable, UNC Asheville students and others who provided medical supplies during Tuesday’s demonstration. The discussion focused on ways to enhance communication and collaboration. The City of Asheville agreed to reimburse the staff [...]