News

Blake resigns as city police chief

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 10, 2020

Hendersonville police Chief Herbert Blake announced Monday that he is resigning as the city's top law officer, effective Aug. 21.

Police chief for more than 12 years, Blake placed a high priority on providing professional law enforcement services to the community. Shortly after becoming chief, he implemented the police department’s body camera program to improve accountability and transparency. The motor bike unit and business district officer program were developed under his watch, as well as recognizing employee accomplishments in an annual awards program.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Hendersonville for almost 13 years," Blake said in a news release. "The Hendersonville Police Department has grown in many ways under my leadership that I am very proud of. We have assembled a great team of professionals that will continue to do an outstanding job in the community.”

Blake developed community engagement strategies for improving communications with the public that include the HPD App, monthly statistic reports, and On Duty podcast that provides safety tips to listeners. Other priorities included expanding diversity in the department’s ranks and establishing policies focused on deescalation techniques and effective department-wide practice of the use of force continuum. Other accomplishments incuded taking the department through a risk management review process with the League of Municipalities and starting a partnership with Trauma Intervention Program to offer support and resources to victims.

In July 2018, Blake applied for the job as police chief in Bluffton, South Carolina, finishing as runner-up to the candidate the town manager selected.
An interim chief will be named before Blake’s departure and a plan for the chief selection process will be presented to City Council at its September meeting, the city said in a news release.