Amid a range of escalating controversies, an independent audit, and a restructuring of the department, Asheville Police Chief William Anderson announced Nov. 14 that he will retire.

Amid a range of escalating controversies, an independent audit, and a restructuring of the department, Asheville Police Chief William Anderson announced Nov. 14 that he will retire.
Asheville Police Department Lt. Mark Byrd, claiming the city of Asheville’s management and the APD’s leadership retaliated and discriminated against him on a number of occasions, including when his wife filed a sexual harassment suit, filed a lawsuit in federal court Jan. 21.
At around 1 p.m., an Asheville Police Department car went off the Jeff Bowen Bridge and onto Riverside Drive below. Later that afternoon, APD Chief William Anderson announced that the crash killed Senior Officer Rob Bingaman. The State Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck, and police officials said it’s still too early to know many details about the crash.
Amid concerns about the fairness of the Asheville Police Department and no small amount of skepticism, about 40 community members shared their thoughts this evening on how to improve the city’s law enforcement.
At a special meeting today, Asheville City Council announced that an internal investigation had found no evidence that Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson engaged in a coverup surrounding a March car crash involving his son, as alleged by an APD lieutenant. However, the inquiry also found that when Anderson ordered the officer to meet with him, he acted inappropriately. Council members promised improvements to the general management of the department.
Asheville City Council will hold a special closed session 9 a.m. Thursday about an undisclosed personnel matter, likely allegations about Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson. The announcement of the meeting notes that Council may take action under a state law allowing it to announce “disciplinary action, reinstatement, transfer, or termination of a city employee and the reasons for that personnel action.”
Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson publicly apologized today for “a poor decision” in directing the APD, rather than the State Highway Patrol, to handle the initial investigation of a March 9 accident involving his son, Chad Anderson.
The situation of the Asheville Police Department evidence room has improved, with a new manager and better systems, Chief William Anderson told media today. He also says he’s better informed about what led to missing evidence, and who was responsible, but refused again to reveal further details. Photo by Max Cooper.
The Asheville Police Department will hire a new evidence-room manager, but an audit of absent items remains under wraps despite a mounting media push for disclosure.
Speaking with media this morning, Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson wouldn’t answer questions about the extent of missing, guns, drugs, and money from the APD evidence room, or when the public will see the unrevealed audit. The APD is looking for a new, civilian evidence room manager, something Anderson believes will hasten “the healing process.” Photo by Max Cooper.
APD’s new police chief William Anderson and Sheriff Van Duncan talk law enforcement at the March 1 Council of Independent Business Owners luncheon. (Photo by Caitlin Byrd)
In the middle of the packed Council chambers, William Anderson, the Asheville Police Department’s new chief, was officially sworn in. Anderson promised to make responsiveness to the community among his top priorities.
The city of Asheville has chosen William Anderson to head the Asheville Police Department. Anderson, currently the police chief of Greenville, will begin the job March 1.