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Call Hospital Police at 262-4168.

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Police Department is committed to the safety and security of the patients, visitors, staff, and the public that utilize all the facilities that make up Appalachian Regional Healthcare System. The department’s focus is to instill a sense of peace and order in a safe environment. The department values the trust of the healthcare system’s patients and staff. We strive to maintain that trust by making life better and safer for the healthcare community.

If you have information about a crime, but would prefer to remain anonymous, please complete our anonymous crime report form.

Anonymous Crime Report

15 + 15 =

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Sessions

Taught by nationally certified instructors, R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) is a national program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques taught for women only. The R.A.D. Basic Self Defense is a 12-hour class split into three days that provide realistic, physical and non-physical self-defense options for women regardless of age and experience. Participants will gain an insight into the mind of an attacker.

Participants will receive a manual for reference and practice, which will be signed when the course is complete. The signed manual becomes a lifetime ticket to return and practice with any R.A.D. instructor in the US and Canada for free.

Class 1: Sunday, May 5th 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, May 12th 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 19th 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Class 2: Sunday, July 14th 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, July 21st 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sunday, July 28th 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

All classes are held at the Watauga Community Recreation Center.

If you’re interested in participating in a R.A.D. class, please complete the registration to be put on a waiting list.

 

Hospital Police History

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Police Department has full subject matter jurisdiction and powers to arrest in accordance with NC GS 74E.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System began as Watauga Medical Center, Inc. utilizing sworn police officers to provide security in 1974. Two part time officers were employed from the Boone Police Department and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, under the supervision of Sgt. Willie Trivette, who later became the first Chief of Hospital Police. The department continued to grow and became a 24 hour on-site department under Chief Lawford Critcher until his retirement in 1992.

Under the direction of Chief Robert M. Watson (Ret), Watauga Medical Center established a Company Police Department in August of 1993 under North Carolina General Statute 74-E. In 2005, Watauga Medical Center Company Police was dissolved and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Company Police Department was established in order to service our newly created healthcare system with campus spanning both Watauga and Avery counties. Chief Watson served as the Chief of Hospital Police for 13 years until his retirement in August 2006 after 26 total years in law enforcement.

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Company Police Department is currently directed by Shawn M. Peele, Chief of Police/Director of Safety and Emergency Management. The department employs 22 sworn police officers who have met and maintain all North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards for law enforcement and commissioned by the North Carolina Attorney General Company Police Program.

Telecommunication Staff are certified through the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission for Telecommunicators maintaining certification through the Division of Criminal Information, State Bureau of Investigation. This certification allows access to the National Crime Information Center for information on wanted or missing persons.



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