HENDERSON, KY, March 19, 2024– The City of Henderson announced during today’s special called Board
of Commissioner’s meeting the addition of Billy Bolin as Police Consultant with plans to name Bolin
Henderson Police Chief at a later date.
“Chief Bolin spent much of his career in Indiana,” says City Manager William L. “Buzzy” Newman. “The
state of Kentucky requires officers to be POPS certified, so while he obtains that certification he’ll serve
the (police) department as a consultant. Once he completes the required accreditation, he’ll be named
the Chief of Police.”
Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) certification became a requirement for Kentucky police
officers in 1998 after the POPS Act legislation was signed into office by then Governor Paul E. Patton. It
created a set of guidelines all law enforcement officers must achieve in an effort to enhance
professionalism and standardization among Kentucky’s ranks.
It requires law enforcement officers must:
– Be U.S. citizens
– Be at least 21 years old
– Have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent
– Possess a valid driver’s license
– Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check
– Not be convicted of a felony offense
– Not be prohibited by federal or state law from possessing a firearm
– Have read the Code of Ethics
– Not have received a dishonorable discharge or general discharge under other than honorable
conditions
– Not have had a certification as a peace officer permanently revoked in another state
– Have a background investigation
– Have a medical examination
– Be interviewed by their potential agency’s executive
– Take a written suitability screener
– Pass a drug-screen test
– Take a polygraph examination
– Bench press 64% of their body weight
– Complete 18 sit-ups within one minute
– Finish a 300-meter run in 65 seconds
– Perform 20 push-ups
– Run 1.5 miles within 17 minutes and 12 seconds
Bolin began his law enforcement career in Henderson before a POPS certification was required of
Kentucky’s law enforcement officials.
He was a member of the City of Henderson Police Department from September 1995 until his departure
in March 1998. In that same month and year, he joined the Evansville Police Department and served in
many capacities until being named Evansville Chief of Police 12 years ago.
“I began my law enforcement career with the Henderson Police Department back in 1995. 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.” shared Bolin.
He is the recipient of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service, Indiana
Police Officer of the Year, Distinguished Hoosier Award, Police Executive Leadership Academy Leader’s
Leader Award, Fiesta Evansville Grand Amigo Award, member of the William Henry Harrison High School
Hall of Fame, and Downtown Kiwanis Good Samaritan Award.
A 2011 graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy, Bolin is also the past president of the
Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, current CEO of International Coffee with a Cop, co-founder and
past president of 911 Gives Hope, co-founder of Cops Connecting with Kids, co-chair of Mickey’s
Playground Committee, project coordinator for the Kids Kingdom Playground Committee, board
member for the Evansville Rescue Mission and a former board member of Leadership Everyone.
“Hiring a future police chief is extremely important for the department and our community,” shared
Mayor Brad Staton. “As I’ve had the chance to get to know Billy Bolin through our hiring process, I can’t
help but to be excited for our police department and for our city. He’s bringing with him twelve years of
experience as a police chief and a total of twenty-eight years in law enforcement. We’ve had numerous
citizens reach out to our City Commission over the past few weeks to express how great of a leader
Chief Bolin is and how hiring him would be a great opportunity for our community. I have to say, I 100%
agree. I have no doubts Chief Bolin will lead and represent Henderson Police Department extremely
well.”
As Bolin works towards obtaining his POPS certification, Interim Chief of Police Bob Schoultz will remain
at the head of the department.
“Interim Chief Schoultz and Chief Bolin will be a great team to move our City’s police department
forward,” offered City Manager Newman.
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