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 Deputy Chief Michael Yelton Deputy Chief Michael “Mike” Yelton joined the Asheville Police Department (APD) in June of 1998. He is a United States Army veteran and began his law enforcement career with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. During his career with APD his assignments have included patrol, Emergency Response Team (ERT), training academy, Drug Suppression Unit, traffic motors, public housing, and command of the Hazardous Devices Team (Bomb Squad). Deputy Chief Yelton received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Master of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University. He has also completed advanced leadership training through the FBI LEEDA program. Contact Information: Office: 828-251-4086 myelton@ashevillenc.gov Related Services Animal services Learn about what kinds of pets can be kept in Asheville, as well as processes for licenses and pet vaccination requirements. 7 Services Crime prevention How to prevent crimes and protect your family and belongings. 10 Services Hire an off duty officer Information on hiring off duty police officers including rates and contact information. Obtain a Civil No Contact Order (50c) Dispute resolution is a term that refers to a number of processes that can be used to resolve a conflict, dispute, or claims. Report crime using TIP2APD This new tool, TIP2APD, enables the public to share anonymous tips with police officers and lets officers respond back to create an anonymous two-way conversation. 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. More Related Services Police Administration News Asheville Police: Lock your bike to avoid theft Posted on July 8, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Outdoor enthusiasts are enjoying the vast opportunities to be out in nature this summer. A popular recreation activity in the Asheville area, of course, is biking; but as it turns out, a popular crime of opportunity is bike theft. As the crime prevention message goes: A person can’t fully control someone’s desire or ability to commit a [...] Asheville City Council adopts revised Alarm Ordinance designed to cut down on false alarms Posted on June 22, 2021 by Polly McDaniel With the new fiscal year will come new registration and renewal fees for alarm systems in the City of Asheville. Following an overwhelming number of false alarms coming into the Asheville Police Department — 97% of which were false alarms — City Council adopted a revised Alarm Ordinance at its June 22 meeting. According to the [...] Asheville Police: ‘Be A Connection’ for children during Child Abuse Prevention Month Posted on April 8, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The Asheville Police Department along with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) realize the importance of caring connections, supportive environments, and positive experiences for all children and families during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. April is a time to help community members learn the important role they play in fostering safe, stable, nurturing relationships and [...] More Police Administration News
Hire an off duty officer Information on hiring off duty police officers including rates and contact information.
Obtain a Civil No Contact Order (50c) Dispute resolution is a term that refers to a number of processes that can be used to resolve a conflict, dispute, or claims.
Report crime using TIP2APD This new tool, TIP2APD, enables the public to share anonymous tips with police officers and lets officers respond back to create an anonymous two-way conversation.
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.
Asheville Police: Lock your bike to avoid theft Posted on July 8, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Outdoor enthusiasts are enjoying the vast opportunities to be out in nature this summer. A popular recreation activity in the Asheville area, of course, is biking; but as it turns out, a popular crime of opportunity is bike theft. As the crime prevention message goes: A person can’t fully control someone’s desire or ability to commit a [...]
Asheville City Council adopts revised Alarm Ordinance designed to cut down on false alarms Posted on June 22, 2021 by Polly McDaniel With the new fiscal year will come new registration and renewal fees for alarm systems in the City of Asheville. Following an overwhelming number of false alarms coming into the Asheville Police Department — 97% of which were false alarms — City Council adopted a revised Alarm Ordinance at its June 22 meeting. According to the [...]
Asheville Police: ‘Be A Connection’ for children during Child Abuse Prevention Month Posted on April 8, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The Asheville Police Department along with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) realize the importance of caring connections, supportive environments, and positive experiences for all children and families during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. April is a time to help community members learn the important role they play in fostering safe, stable, nurturing relationships and [...]