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Southern Pines Police Department announces deputy chief promotion

By Staff Report, posted Sep 17, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com


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.


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