Town of Catawba Police Department

08/10/2026

Public Notice ⛔️⚠️

The Catawba Police Department will undergo an assessment on September 16th, 2026, as part of its pursuit of law enforcement accreditation.

This assessment, conducted by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (NCLEA) program, is designed to ensure that our department meets established professional standards.

The accreditation process evaluates various aspects of law enforcement operations, including policies and procedures, administration, support services, training, facilities management, safety, and record-keeping. These standards are crucial for maintaining high-quality public safety services.

We invite both agency employees and community members to provide feedback on the Catawba Police Department's adherence to NCLEA's standards.

Comments should be submitted via email or mail by September 15th, 2026, one day before the on-site assessment. All feedback will be reviewed by the Assessment Team.

For details on the NCLEA standards, please visit the North Carolina Department of Justice website at NCLEA Standards (https://ncdoj.gov/north-carolina-law-enforcement-accreditation/).

To submit your comments, please email them to [email protected], including "CATAWBA Police Department" in the subject line, or mail them to:

North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (NCLEA)
ATT: NCLEA Program Manager
PO Drawer 149
Raleigh, NC 27602

Thank you for your participation and support in this important process.

Accreditation through NCLEA is voluntary for law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, and there is no fee for participation. Agencies desiring to pursue accreditation through NCLEA are encouraged to review the NCLEA Standards Manual and NCLEA Program Guide in their entirety. You MUST complete the...

08/06/2026

🚔 Working Together to Keep Our Community Safe 🚔

The Town of Catawba Police Department is proud to be part of a strong partnership dedicated to reducing violent crime and holding repeat violent offenders accountable.

This week, Lashawn "Shawn" Malcolm Davis was sentenced to 10 to 13 years in prison following his guilty plea to assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, and his designation as an armed habitual felon. This case stemmed from a 2025 shooting just outside the Town of Catawba and reflects the commitment of law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue justice for victims and protect our community.

This successful prosecution was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Catawba County Violent Crimes Task Force, which brings together the FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI), Catawba County Sheriff's Office, Hickory Police Department - Official, Maiden Police Department, City of Newton, NC Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the ATF Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF), and local law enforcement partners, including the Town of Catawba Police Department. Together, we are committed to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting repeat violent offenders who threaten the safety of our communities.

We are grateful for the teamwork, dedication, and professionalism of every agency involved. When law enforcement works together, our communities are stronger and safer.

If you have information about violent crime or suspicious activity, please report it. Your partnership helps make a difference.

07/20/2026

It seems some folks have mistaken the Town of Catawba for a free shopping center. Just a friendly reminder: if you leave your vehicle unlocked, someone else might decide it's an "open house."

So tonight, before you settle in to binge your favorite show:
🔒 Lock your vehicles.
🏡 Lock your homes.
🏢 Secure your buildings.
💰 Don't leave valuables where they're easy to spot.

Think of it this way: if your car is unlocked, you're basically putting up a sign that says, "Come on in, we're not using this cup holder anyway."

Seriously though, we've had a few instances of criminal activity in the area. Staying alert and taking a few extra seconds to lock up can go a long way in helping protect your property and our community.

👀 If you notice anything suspicious, trust your instincts and report it to local law enforcement.

Let's make Catawba the kind of town where the only thing getting stolen is the last homemade peach cobbler at the church picnic. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and don't make it easy for the bad guys. 💙

07/15/2026

🚔🛴 UPDATE: The Great Catawba Scooter Grand Prix of 2026 has officially come to an end.

The rider involved in last month’s e-scooter pursuit is now in custody.

Yes, we know. An e-scooter pursuit sounds like something straight out of a sitcom episode, and we can laugh about it now. But while the speeds may not have rivaled NASCAR, our officers approached the situation the same way they would any other pursuit: with public safety as the top priority.

Our officers make decisions every day about when to pursue, when to back off, and how to safely apprehend individuals while protecting our community, our officers, and everyone else sharing the road (and apparently, the scooter lanes too).
We’re thankful no one was injured and appreciate everyone’s patience and support during one of the more unique calls we’ve had in a while.

To the citizens of Catawba: drive safe, stay safe, and if you’re considering making a getaway… we respectfully suggest choosing better life decisions over battery-powered transportation. 😉

Catawba Police Department appreciates the City of Newton, NC Police Department and Catawba County Sheriff's Office during the apprehension of Sartin.

As always, all individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

🛵 Man Wanted In Catawba E-Scooter Pursuit Arrested

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

NEWTON, N.C. (1:30 p.m.) — The Claremont man sought after a June 25 traffic stop on an electric scooter led Catawba police on a roughly 2.5-mile pursuit is now in custody.

Mickel Wayne Sartin, 52, was arrested July 14 and booked into the Catawba County Detention Facility, according to court records.

Sartin faces misdemeanor charges of fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, resisting a public officer, and failure to heed light or siren, filed by the Catawba Police Department in connection with the pursuit. A magistrate set a $10,000 secured bond on those charges.

Records show Sartin was served the same day with a separate order for arrest on a felony probation violation out of county. On that matter, the court did not authorize release, meaning he is being held without bond.

Sartin had a first appearance July 15 in Catawba County District Court, where the court appointed an attorney to represent him. A disposition hearing on the pursuit charges is scheduled for August 17.

The charges stem from a June 25 stop on N.C. Highway 10, when police said a man riding an e-scooter fled after being unable to produce identification. The pursuit ended in a wooded area off N.C. Highway 70 between Catawba and Claremont, where police said the rider abandoned the scooter and ran into the woods on foot before being identified as Sartin.

The arrest warrant treats the e-scooter as a motor vehicle for purposes of the fleeing charge and alleges Sartin reached 29 mph while attempting to elude the officer.

Court records also show Sartin has a separate pending Catawba County case from an April 2025 traffic stop, in which a sheriff’s deputy charged him with driving while his license was revoked, having no liability insurance, and displaying a fictitious registration. He failed to appear in that case in October 2025, records show.

All charges are allegations. Sartin is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

CVNW will continue to follow the case as it moves through Catawba County District and Superior courts. Share this post to help keep the community informed, or follow CVNW for updates.

📸:Catawba County Sheriff's Office

07/14/2026

✨For just 20 minutes a week, you can be the person who shows up, listens, and cheers a student on. Our Lunch Buddy Program pairs caring mentors with students across Catawba County to build the kind of connection that sparks confidence and keeps kids excited about school.

✨Since 2011, we’ve seen firsthand how these small, consistent moments add up to a big impact. You don’t need to move mountains—you just need to show up for one student.

💻Ready to make an impact?
Learn more/Sign up: www.coacatawba.org

❔Questions? Reach out to Bunny Eaton at [email protected] or call 828-322-4591 / 828-999-9065.

06/29/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the Hickory Daily Record | hickoryrecord.com for featuring our story and helping share the heart behind what we do. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to highlight the hours put into seeking grants in the Town of Catawba and the partnership we were able to have with Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation!

“We are extremely grateful to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs restaurant in Hickory, N.C. for this vital support,” said Catawba Police Chief Brian Bixby.

06/26/2026

***********Press Release************

Catawba, N.C.-On Thursday, June 25th, 2026, at approximately 2:45 p.m., a Catawba Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a white male riding an E-scooter on N.C. Hwy. 10 for a traffic violation.

During the traffic stop, the operator was unable to produce any type of identification before he fled the stop location. A chase began and ended in a wooded area off Hwy. 70 between the Town of Catawba and the City of Claremont. The operator abandoned the E-scooter and ran on foot into a heavily wooded area.

After further investigation, the suspect was identified as Mickel Wayne Sartin of Claremont, N.C. Sartin has outstanding warrants for:

(M) Flee to Elude Arrest
(M) Fail to Heed Lights and Siren
(M) Resisting a Public Officer

Sartin also has an unrelated (F) Probation Violation warrant.

Catawba Police Department appreciates the assistance from Claremont Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.

Catawba Police requests any information about Sartin’s whereabouts by calling:

1. Catawba Police Department: 828-241-2214 or 828-464-3112
2. Catawba County Sheriff’s Office: 828-464-3112

Information provided by:
Chief Brian Bixby
Catawba Police Department