Former Evansville police chief Billy Bolin to lead Henderson Police Department

Houston Harwood, Evansville Courier & Press
·2 min read
Chief of Police Billy Bolin of the Evansville Police Department gives a speech after receiving a distinguished alumni award during the Harrison High School commencement at Romain Stadium in Evansville, Ind., Friday, May 28, 2021.
Chief of Police Billy Bolin of the Evansville Police Department gives a speech after receiving a distinguished alumni award during the Harrison High School commencement at Romain Stadium in Evansville, Ind., Friday, May 28, 2021.

Officials in Henderson, Kentucky, announced Tuesday that former Evansville Chief of Police Billy Bolin will begin working for the Henderson Police Department as a consultant, with the ultimate aim of naming Bolin chief of police once he secures a certification required by the state.

That announcement comes after recent leadership changes at both the Henderson Police Department and the Evansville Police Department, which Bolin led under former Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke's administration.

Former HPD Chief Sean McKinney announced in February that he would resign to spend more time with his family. McKinney was to begin working as an HPD school resource officer at the start of the new academic year, officials said in February.

The Henderson Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon to announce Bolin would soon work with the department and ultimately lead it as chief after he obtained his Peace Officers Professional Standards (POPS) certification.

"I began my law enforcement career with the Henderson Police Department back in 1995," Bolin said Tuesday. "It's quite an honor to be able to finish my law enforcement career where it began. I'm looking forward to working for the officers of HPD and the citizens of Henderson."

Bolin began his police career in Kentucky before the state required law enforcement personnel to receive the POPS certification. He served with the HPD from September of 1995 to March of 1998.

"While he obtains that certification he'll serve the department as a consultant," Henderson City Manager William "Buzzy" Newman explained. "Once he completes the required accreditation, he'll be named the chief of police."

Henderson Mayor Brad Staton, who said the appointment of a new police chief was "extremely important" for both the department and the city, described Bolin as an exciting and experienced choice to lead the HPD.

"He's bringing with him twelve years of experience as a police chief and a total of 28 years in law enforcement," Staton said, according to a city news release. "I have no doubts chief Bolin will lead and represent the Henderson Police Department extremely well."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Billy Bolin tapped to lead the Henderson Kentucky Police Department