Achievers & Accolades

Southern Pines Police Department announces deputy chief promotion

By Staff Report, posted 4 weeks ago
Captain Robert Heaton

The Southern Pines Police Department is pleased to announce Captain Robert Heaton will be promoted to the rank of deputy chief.

Captain Heaton is a 25-year law enforcement veteran, which includes 14 years at the Southern Pines Police Department. Captain Heaton received his Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. 

Captain Heaton is a graduate of the 294th session of the FBI National Academy, and has completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Supervisory Institute, Command Institute and Executive Institute. Captain Heaton is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program (AOMP) through North Carolina State University. 

Over the course of his career, Captain Heaton has completed numerous law enforcement certification programs which include the Criminal Investigation Certificate Program and the Tactical Training Certificate Program. He is a general instructor, driving instructor,

firearms instructor, physical fitness instructor and compliance and control tactics instructor.

Captain Heaton assumed command, control and oversight of the daily operations of the administration division, patrol division, investigation division and directed patrol/special operations.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

A salute to service: LTG Braga relinquishes USASOC command

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Acting Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Kirk Brinker, gives a speech as USASOC bids farewell to Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga after serving four years as its commanding general outside the USASOC Headquarters at Fort Brag


Fall for Dogwood: The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival returns in 2025

Graphic provided by Fayetteville Dogwood FestivalGood music, food and fall themed fun for all ages will swirl into Festival Park with the falling leaves this season. On Oct. 18 and 19, The Dogwood Festival will be returning for the fall. This free fe


Lending perspectives: Local banks respond to recent federal rate cuts

 Chair Powell answers reporters' questions at the FOMC press conference on Sept. 17, 2025. Photo provided by the Federal Reserve.On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced that it had decided to lower the target r