Hickory Police Chief Reed Baer announces retirement
After 30 years of qualified service to the citizens of Hickory, Chief of Police Reed Baer will retire on July 1.
“I am proud to be a product of the Hickory Police Department and this community,” said Baer. “It has been an honor to serve in the role of police chief for the department where I learned how to be a police officer. Serving my hometown alongside the very best law enforcement professionals has certainly been a privilege.”
Baer was appointed by City Manager Warren Wood as the City of Hickory's chief of police on Feb. 1, 2023, after 25 years of proven experience with the Hickory Police Department (HPD). Baer began his career with HPD in 1997 as a patrol officer, where he quickly gained the experience and knowledge to become a recognized leader within the department.
Over the years, Baer served in several positions throughout the department to include sergeant of special investigations, sergeant assigned to Charles P.A.C.T. and lieutenant assigned to support services. He was promoted to captain/division commander of support services in 2010, division commander of criminal investigations in 2012, and deputy chief of police in 2016, before his appointment as chief of police. This experience cultivated the skills and vision to successfully lead the department’s authorized force of 122 sworn officers and 35 civilians under his command.
Baer is a 1995 graduate of East Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology/Criminology. He is also a graduate of the 245th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and holds numerous certificates and licenses, such as an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate through the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Baer has completed hundreds of hours of job-related training during his tenure with HPD. He holds memberships in the North Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association; the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, where he also serves as a board member and regional director; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; and the FBI National Academy Associates.
In addition to his responsibilities with HPD, Baer has been and continues to be an engaged community member. As a strong advocate for children, he serves on the Catawba County Board of Social Services and previously volunteered as a mentor in the Council on Adolescents of Catawba County’s Lunch Buddy and graduation coach programs. His past roles include chair and board member for the Council on Adolescents of Catawba County. Baer also has been active in fostering positive human relations through the Hickory Racial Justice and Reconciliation Group.
During his tenure with the Hickory Police Department, Baer built upon the department’s strong history of professionalism, innovation, and compassionate service through community policing. He focused heavily on enhancing mental health support for officers and leveraging available technologies and resources to enhance officer training and community response. Baer was instrumental in implementing Blue Courage, an initiative that supports officer mental, physical, and emotional wellness, and the ABLE program, which provides officers intervention and de-escalation skills that are necessary in modern policing. Another notable achievement under his command was HPD’s participation in the creation of the Regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team to support wellness and care for employees involved in critical incidents. HPD has four officers currently assigned to the Regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team, which is available to members of HPD and other area law enforcement agencies around the clock to provide peer support services.
Baer championed partnerships with educational institutions in the area to generate interest in the law enforcement profession and create pathways to successful careers for students. These partnerships included continued collaborations with Catawba Valley Community College and local school systems to provide apprentice opportunities to younger applicants wanting to see a career in law enforcement, an internship program with Appalachian State University that allows students to become full-time Hickory Police Department employees while receiving credit for their internship requirement through the university, and an innovative program called Badges and Bears with Lenoir-Rhyne University to show student athletes the challenges of policing, which led to Lenoir-Rhyne students being hired as police trainees. The department also started an honorary police officer program with Hickory City Schools, which annually selects an elementary school student as an honorary officer and introduces them to the daily life of a police officer. HPD’s efforts in officer wellness and recruitment have led to increased applicants for HPD positions and enabled the department to expand and increase staffing levels.
Under Baer’s leadership, the department transitioned from a self-maintained radio system to the North Carolina Viper Radio System to enhance HPD’s interoperable communication with local and statewide agencies. To further ensure officers were well equipped with the resources and training necessary for the challenges of modern day policing, he continued investments in technological advancements at the HPD Training Annex.
Another notable endeavor by Chief Baer was the initiation of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (NCLEA) process through the state for Hickory Police Department. NCLEA is a voluntary program that allows agencies to prove their compliance with the highest professional standards and agency best practices to a body of trained, external assessors. NCLEA accreditation recognizes an agency’s commitment to the training and policy development necessary to best protect the public and provide superlative community service. HPD expects to file for full state accreditation assessment in May of this year.
“Reed has been a pivotal leader in our city, steering the police department with integrity, humility, and innovative vision. His exceptional skill in building and sustaining strong relationships—with colleagues, subordinates, community members, and partners at every level of law enforcement—has been truly commendable," noted City Manager Warren Wood. “Under his guidance, our community has grown stronger and safer, and his impact will be felt for years to come through the continued exemplary service of the Hickory Police Department.”
Mayor Hank Guess shared, “The Hickory City Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to Reed for his professionalism and unwavering commitment to serving Hickory's residents and visitors throughout his career. His exceptional leadership at HPD has played a vital role in shaping Hickory into a thriving, safe, and welcoming community, ideal for living, working, and raising a family. We wish him all the best for a fulfilling and joyful retirement.”
Reflecting on his career, Baer stated, “After three decades in professional policing, I've seen firsthand the exceptional capabilities of Hickory police officers. HPD has been like a second home to me, and I've had the honor of working alongside dedicated professionals who consistently provide outstanding service and strive for excellence every single day.”
“This career has given me a unique lens through which to view my community, reaffirming the deep appreciation I’ve always held for Hickory and its residents. It's the very reason I chose to build my life and career here in my hometown. What truly makes this place special are the people—my colleagues, neighbors, and the community members I’ve had the privilege of engaging with daily. They are, without a doubt, what I’ll miss the most.”