Former Capitol Police Chief Hawley sworn in as new NCSBI director

Former State Capitol Police Chief Roger “Chip” Hawley was sworn in last week to serve as the director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), a year and a half after Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper appointed him. His term will last six years.

“Chip Hawley has set a high standard throughout his career and will lead the SBI well thanks to his decades of experience and leadership in law enforcement,” Cooper said in a press release. “I am thankful for his willingness to serve our state and work to keep North Carolina families and communities safe.”

In April 2023, Cooper appointed Hawley to fill the vacancy that was supposed to be created when then-director Robert Schurmeier’s term ended on June 30, 2023. But Schurmeier didn’t step down because the General Assembly didn’t confirm his appointment at the time.

“I look forward to serving with the SBI as Director and am grateful to the Governor and the legislature for the opportunity to lead this agency’s work alongside its tremendous public servants,” Hawley said.

He has over 40 years of experience in state and local law enforcement. In addition to State Capitol Police Chief, he previously worked at the Wake County Sheriff’s Office as the Major of Criminal Investigations, Major of Patrol Division, and Captain of Patrol Division. He has also worked as a police officer in the Coats Police Department and at North Carolina State University.

The SBI had seen its share of controversy last year.

Schurmeier testified before the NC House Oversight and Reform Committee that there was a culture of political strong-arming from Cooper’s senior staff within the SBI, accusing them of interfering with his ability to manage direct reports, intimidating him with threats, and calling for his resignation.

Schurmeier pinpointed Cooper’s Chief of Staff Kristi Jones and General Counsel Eric Fletcher as being the couriers of the pressure campaign, threatening him with a “big investigation” and accusing him of racial discrimination if he did not resign. He refused to do so.

Deputy Chief of State Capitol Police Terry Green was appointed the new Chief by NC Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr.

The post Former Capitol Police Chief Hawley sworn in as new NCSBI director first appeared on Carolina Journal.