Woody Chavis
Chief of Police
    
Employed by the Kannapolis Police Department since 1983, James W. (Woody) Chavis was appointed as the Chief of Police in October 2007. Prior to his job as Chief, he served as a patrol officer, Criminal Investigator, Felony Investigations Sergeant, Vice-Narcotics Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain of Support Services, Captain of Field Operations, and Police Major.  Chavis has served on the Kannapolis Police Department's Honor Guard and has been an active member and team leader of the Special Response Team since 1994.  He is the Team Leader of Cabarrus County's “Task Force 21” which was formed after the events of September 11, 2001 to provide regional emergency response to major disaster incidents.  Chavis is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, FBI National Academy Associates, North Carolina Police Executives Association, the PBH Crisis Intervention Team Advisory Board, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Chavis also serves on the North Carolina Domestic Preparedness Readiness Region 7 Committee.

Chavis holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Central Piedmont Community College. Chavis graduated from the 182nd session of the FBI National Academy. He holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and has taken numerous professional training courses. He holds certifications as a general law enforcement instructor and specialized driving instructor.

"My priority as Chief of Police is to provide effective leadership in carrying out the police mission and providing a safe and welcome environment for all of our citizens and visitors," Chavis said. "That mission is designed to ensure that our citizens are served with respect, fairness, and dignity, and to ensure that our staff is committed to the prevention of crime, the preservation of peace, order and safety, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and the safeguarding of constitutional guarantees. By remaining focused on our mission, the Police Department can work in partnership with our citizens to achieve an improved state of economic well-being, an enhanced quality of life, and a reduction of crime and social disorder."

Chavis is married to Deena Chavis.  He has one daughter Kaci, and a step-son Shane.