Hendersonville Police Chief named vice president of the International Association of Chiefs

Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand has been elected as the Fourth Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), marking a significant milestone in a distinguished career. The election took place during the IACP’s annual conference in Boston, Massachusetts, held from October 19-22, 2024.

The IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. With more than 34,000 members in over 170 countries, the IACP is recognized as the foremost leader in global policing, committed to advancing safe communities through thoughtful, innovative leadership in policing.

“The opportunity to lead and represent the City of Hendersonville at this level is humbling,” states Police Chief Blair Myhand. “I am excited for the future of policing and the chance to contribute to its evolution on a global scale.”

Chief Myhand’s swearing-in ceremony topped off the IACP conference, a premier event for law enforcement leaders. This conference serves as a vital forum for sharing best practices, exploring emerging technologies, and tackling the most critical issues facing policing today.

In this new role, Chief Myhand will influence policing in Hendersonville, across the nation, and overseas. Chief Myhand assumes this leadership role at the highest level in the policing profession. He represents North Carolina interests on the national and international stages. Alongside some of the most prominent leaders in the policing profession, Chief Myhand will engage officials to make policing better.

Since taking the helm as Chief of the Hendersonville Police Department in February 2021, Chief Myhand has driven significant improvements throughout the organization. He quickly launched a multi-year strategic plan aimed at enhancing public safety and strengthening community relations. Under his leadership, the department completed the Law Enforcement Risk Review with the N.C. League of Municipalities in June 2022, and in February 2024, achieved the IACP Trust Building Campaign pledge, reaffirming a commitment to continual improvement and adherence to the highest standards of policing. The department is also in the final stages of becoming accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This esteemed accreditation ensures the agency meets industry-leading practices, providing long-term accountability and quality service regardless of future leadership.

Leading in law enforcement profession today is fraught with challenges. However, leading with integrity, a sense of public duty, and selfless service to all people are the cornerstones for any strong police leader. Policing needs capable leaders to set the tone of ethical policing. Upholding professional standards, promoting trust building, and ensuring accountability are critical measures for success. Chief Myhand strongly believes that law enforcement must safeguard communities, focusing on protection rather than enforcement-driven consequences. “We must continue to drive that narrative forward.”

Chief Myhand’s term as Fourth Vice President lasts one year where he will automatically ascend to Third Vice President and ultimately President of the IACP.

Chief Myhand has a longstanding career in public safety and law enforcement, including the following roles that helped pave the way to his appointment as Fourth Vice President of IACP:

• President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police
• President of the North Carolina FBI National Academy Associates
• Chair, IACP, Civilian Law Enforcement/Military Cooperation Committee
• IACP, State Associations of Chief of Police, North Carolina Representative

Chief Myhand brings a more traditional voice to help IACP create a roadmap that will usher in an era of trust and legitimacy between agencies and the communities they serve. “So few Chiefs are ever afforded an opportunity at this level to have a positive impact outside their own agencies,” said Chief Myhand. “I am honored to be among the leaders chosen for such an important challenge. I simply want to leave one day knowing I helped make policing the best it is capable of being. I hope I can say one day that I gave it all I had, and that policing is better because of it.”