From Interim to Permanent: Mike Lamb Officially Named Asheville’s Police Chief

New Leadership for Asheville Police Department

Long-serving Asheville Police Department officer, Mike Lamb, having acted as the interim police chief since December 2023, has officially been named as the permanent police chief, Asheville city officials verified on Tuesday. Lamb, an experienced public servant, has dedicated over 26 years to serving the Asheville community, commencing his career as a patrol officer before his promotion to deputy chief in June 2023.

A Dedicated Public Servant Takes Charge

City Manager Debra Campbell conveyed her confidence in Lamb’s leadership. “In the course of his career, Chief Lamb has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership internally and a sincere commitment to working with the community. He’s a public servant in the truest sense. I greatly appreciate him agreeing to serve in the interim role and I feel confident the department will provide the highest level of professional police service under his continued leadership.”

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to lead, Lamb stated, “I continue to be grateful for the dedication of our department’s men and women. Throughout my 26 years of service, I’ve cherished the opportunity to cultivate strong bonds within our community. Together, we continue the momentum to serve our community effectively and our commitment to fostering safety and prosperity in Asheville.”

Community Supports the Appointment

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer confirmed that Lamb’s appointment as police chief has gained significant public support, “Quite frankly, I haven’t heard anyone say anything other than, ‘You better make this guy the chief of the Asheville Police Department’. Multiple individuals have reached out to me and the council expressing their support.”

Asheville City Councilmember Maggie Ullman echoed similar sentiments. “I’ve never heard a bad word about this man. I think he is an exemplary public servant. Public safety isn’t just about aggressive policing. Public safety is about taking the community and caring for it and caring with it,” Ullman stated.

Lamb: A Great Fit For the Role

Mayor Manheimer expressed confidence in Lamb’s compatibility with the role due to his vast experience within the department and community, “The thing that Chief Mike Lamb has that is so special is that he has served in so many different capacities in the department and he’s built relationships throughout the community.”

Building Strong Collaborations

Councilmember Ullman believes that Lamb’s interpersonal skills and trust-building capacity will play a significant role in his tenure as police chief.

Public Safety Coalition Endorses Appointment

The Asheville Coalition for Public Safety conveyed their support as well. Honor Moor, a spokesperson for the organization, celebrating Lamb’s appointment, remarked, “We can’t think of anyone who would ever deserve it more than Chief Lamb.”

With his transition from interim to permanent Chief of Police now official, Mike Lamb looks forward to leading Asheville’s police force into a future defined by effective community policing.