The Hickory Police Department (H.P.D.) has announced that Captain Bryan Adams will serve as the department’s next Deputy Chief of Police. Captain Adams has been with H.P.D. for nearly 25 years. His promotion to Deputy Chief will become effective May 14.

Captain Adams started his career as a patrol officer and most recently served as Captain over the Support Services Division, a position he has held since 2019. Through his career, he served as an investigator and Sergeant of the Vice & Narcotics Unit, as well as Lieutenant in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigations divisions.

Captain Adams was born and raised in Hickory. He attended Hickory High School and Catawba Valley Community College. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2011 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Captain Adams is a graduate of the North Carolina Justice Academy’s Management Development Program and a 2019 graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy. He also holds his North Carolina Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate. His great-grandfather, E.W. Lentz, was the Chief of Police for 34 years from 1914 to 1948.

Captain Adams has also served as a mentor in the Lunch Buddy Program and for numerous years as a board member and chair of the Family Guidance Center.