Meet Your Chief of Police

Chief William “Bill” Harrell was appointed to Franklin Police Chief on June 1, 2020. Chief Harrell transitions from the Highlands Police Chief in Macon-Jackson County, where he served for almost 15 years and has been serving in public safety for over the past 26 years. He began his career in law enforcement with the Franklin Police Department in 1993 after graduating from the Southwestern CC Basic Law Enforcement Academy Class 28 in 1993. After Graduating from the academy, Chief Harrell went to work as a patrol Officer for the Town of Franklin. During his public safety service tenure, he has made transitions to other North Carolina public safety and law enforcement agencies acquiring experiences and education that has helped to mold him into a well-rounded public safety servant.

Chief Harrell is a seasoned law enforcement officer with an extensive track record of professional, proactive, effective, efficient, proficient and accomplished law enforcement functions. He posts a proven ability to develop, apply and manage law enforcement personnel as well as non-law enforcement personnel. He holds extensive educational training hours for the infinite growth of crime prevention from a collaboration of Local, State and Federal Agencies, Universities, Community Colleges, & independent entities. Chief Harrell’s Law Enforcement skill sets include: Management, Investigations, Succession Planning, Coordinating Strategic Activities & Events, Deployment, Patrol, Enforcement, Recruitment, Litigation, Training Programs, Organizational Change, Superb communicator and negotiator with proven ability in problem solving & strategic planning. Exceptional organization, time management, and attention to detail in large & small environments.

Chief Harrell has experience in many concentrations of law enforcement from patrol to administration, including the following: drug interdiction, School Resource Officer, Investigations, special operations commander, SWAT/SERT, and many Community Policing Operations. Chief Harrell has served and volunteered for a number of clubs and non-profit organization boards within the community.

Chief Harrell graduated from our very own Franklin High School in 1990 where he began his leadership career serving as an athletic, religious and civic group leader. He served as Chairman of Deacons in his church, President of Civic Groups and an active member in Rotary.

Chief Harrell is a graduate of many prolific leadership institutions with honors to include: Magna Cum Laude-Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Carolina University, Magna Cum Laude-Master of Justice Administration from Methodist University. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Graduate NC Justice Academy Management Development Program, Graduate of the Westpoint Leadership Program, with Advanced and Intermediate North Carolina Law Enforcement Certificates, School Resource Officer Certification, Criminal Investigations Certificate, SIRCHIE Institute of Crime Scene Technology & Drug Recognition for Identification. Chief Harrell also serves as a North Carolina General Instructor, he has instructed BLET and In-service curriculum since 2000 with specialty certifications for the instruction of Law Enforcement Officer’s Response to Rapid Deployment for Active Shooters, and Juvenile Minority Sensitivity Training.

Chief Harrell’s proudest fulfillment is his Christian faith and family where he’s been married over 25 years, with two accomplished teenagers.

Contact Chief Bill Harrell

Bill Harrell
Chief of Police
PO Box 1479
Franklin, NC 28744-1479
Email: chiefharrell@franklinnc.com