Locust Police Department

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Locust Police Department

This is the official page of the Locust Police Department in Locust, NC.

You can reach Locust officers 24-hours a day at the Stanly County non-emergency number 704-986-3700. The Locust Police Department page will be utilized to provide news and updates regarding the City of Locust and Locust Police Department activities. It may also be used for investigative purposes and for contacting victims and witnesses to criminal incidents. Private messages are accepted

and encouraged if beneficial to department investigations or other questions or concerns about the Locust community, Stanly County, or the Locust Police Department. Please feel free to message us if you have information that may aid us in solving or preventing criminal activity, or if you have another question or concern. You may also reach us at (704)888-4744 (Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm), (704)986-3700 (24 Hour Non-Emergency), 911 (24 Hour Emergency), or at [email protected]. All content will be preserved as pertains to any applicable public records statutes however abusive or vulgar language and posts/comments evaluated to be inappropriate may be hidden on the main Locust Police Department page. Messages will be private and confidential however may be subject to North Carolina judicial discovery laws if pertaining to investigations that result in prosecution. Threatening messages will be evaluated as possible violations of North Carolina Criminal General Statutes and violators may be prosecuted.

08/21/2026

*** LPD OFFICER SPOTLIGHT ***

Our final edition until LPD's two newest officers have a little more time in. Learn a little bit more about Chief Shew!

Jeff B. Shew - Chief of Police
Serving Since: July 2009

Hometown: Grew up in Boiling Spring Lakes, NC (Brunswick County near Southport). Was in that area from 1977-2007 before relocating to Stanly County.

Family: Wife and 3 boys (The Lord’s plan for me was to have 3 kids after 40….. I try not to ask questions). My parents also relocated to Stanly County several years ago to be closer to the grandkids as “Nana and Pop”. I also have a younger brother who still lives in our hometown area.

Hobbies Outside Of Work: Family activities and “adventures” (though my wife will say at times I am a more begrudging participant). I enjoy service projects and serving in different capacities at West Albemarle Baptist Church. Woodworking, construction and other projects at home with very limited time to do them (I’m currently working on a garden fence project that should be completed by 2035). I also enjoy the “big 3” sports, but I’m too old to play them and not enough time to watch them.

Best Part About Working For Locust/LPD: Hands down the incredible support from the city administration and government as well as the community. Law enforcement is a very physically and mentally stressful profession. I don’t see how other officers continue to do the job in areas where they are not as supported.

Career Goals: I truly do enjoy the job that I do but you definitely won’t have to push me out the door when I’m eligible to retire (Like I said, difficult profession). For the rest of my career, I just want to continue supporting the outstanding officers at LPD while helping them continue to progress and advance the department into the future.

Something People May Not Know About Me: “Once upon a time” I was an all-conference and all-county basketball player at South Brunswick High School, and I played 2 years of junior college basketball at Brunswick Community College. I was slow and couldn’t jump but was a decent albeit “streaky” shooter in my day.

Anything Else?: The older I get I realize more and more the importance of focusing on the eternal and not the temporal. Strengthen my faith and find the rest in that. I would wish that for everyone though I know it’s always a challenge. I’m beyond blessed to be with LPD, serving with incredible officers, and serving a great city!

08/17/2026

*** LPD OFFICER SPOTLIGHT ***

Returning for the first time since May to our department's series highlighting the outstanding officers of the Locust Police Department. In our second to last edition of LPD officers prior to the addition of our two most recent hires, learn a little bit more about United States Army veteran and department Detective Jared Smith!

Jared M. Smith - Detective (Corporal), CID

Serving Since: August 2019

A western Stanly County native, Detective Jared Smith began his career with the Locust Police Department in 2019 after a 5-year career as an Infantry Squad Leader and Sergeant in the United States Army.

From 2019 – 2022, Smith served as a patrol officer with the department earning the achievement rank of PO2. In August 2022, Jared was promoted to the criminal investigations division as a Detective with the equivalent rank of Corporal. During his tenure as an investigator with LPD, Detective Smith has completed hundreds of hours of investigative training and earned his Intermediate Certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division. Jared was named as a finalist for the Chief Steven “Smitty” Smith Officer of the Year award in 2025 due to his investigative efforts in multiple Locust business breaking and entering offenses resulting in the arrest of two individuals responsible for similar crimes in at least 14 North Carolina counties. Detective Smith was also recently able to charge an individual with multiple felony offenses for a June Locust pharmacy break-in and larceny of narcotics due to his digital evidence investigation with additional suspects expected to be charged.

Thank you for your service to our country and for all you do at LPD Detective Smith!

08/13/2026

***LPD IN THE >Stanly County< COMMUNITY***

Yesterday, Chief Shew, Corporal Dietz, and K9 Rico had the opportunity to venture outside the city limits of Locust as they were asked to speak to Ms. Gordon and Ms. Roger's kindegarten classes at Park Ridge Christian School in Albemarle.

Students managed to sit through a brief spiel from Chief Shew on police officers' most important job is being there to help them, and the importance of listening to their parents and teachers in following rules to keep them safe and not in trouble.

Their patience paid off when they got to learn about K9 Rico, see him in action, and the always popular "meet and greet" with our furriest and most well-liked officer (Not Corporal Dietz).

The Chief also came with goodie bags and K9 Rico cards for each student. It is has been speculated that Chief Shew uses the goodie bags to soften the blow of his less than exciting speeches but those claims have not yet been substantiated.

We thank Park Ridge Christian School for inviting us "West Siders" for a visit, and your thank you cards really made our day!

08/12/2026

LOCUST POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE/THANK AN OFFICER PROGRAM

Locust Police Department

Hey Jeff (Chief Shew), I know you already know this but LPD Officers are AWESOME! I appreciate everything y'all do! I was just starting down Mission Church from 200 when a tree fell in front of me during this horrible storm, the wind was extremely bad, as well as the rain and lightning. The tree fell into the next lane but I thought it was coming onto me but thankfully it didn’t. I was already flipping out driving in this, but with the tree falling made it even worse. I called 911 so they could have someone come out to get the tree out of the road. The 911 Operator knew I was extremely upset having trouble catching my breath, so they stayed on the phone. Officer Hartsell came out, Chad (Sergeant Whitley), and another Officer (Officer Baucom) made sure I was absolutely okay and in the pouring rain. I didn’t expect them to get out in this but I told them I was and thanked them so much. I so appreciate it, they are all pretty AMAZING!!!! I thought you should hear the good, cause I know Police gets a bad rep sometimes but y'all shouldn’t!

From Chief Shew: I agree, Locust officers are "pretty amazing", and I'm extremely blessed to work alongside each of them. Thank you guys (and gal) for your service and sacrifice. Carry on LPD officers!

08/10/2026

***LPD IN THE COMMUNITY***
> 2026 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT MOVIE NIGHT

The Locust Police Department was joined by a small but supportive crowd for our sponsored National Night Out Movie Night event this past Saturday in the "backyard" of the Locust Government Center.

Attendees got to be up close and personal with our most popular all-time officer (no, not Corporal Dietz) K9 Rico and watch him in action. They also received free goodie bags, and got to check out LPD vehicles and equipment before capping the evening with the Nicolas Cage classic National Treasure.

Our department is extremely appreciative of those that came out and spent some time with us and we remain extremely blessed to serve such a positive and supportive community.

We hope to make this an annual tradition and will look to expand our event for next year. Thank you Locust!

08/05/2026

The Locust Police Department Activity Report for July 2026 can be found at the link!

https://locustnc.com/monthly-crime-statistics/

07/30/2026

LPD 2026 JUNIOR DETECTIVE CAMP RECAP

> Operation Phantom Funds
***The Ledger Syndicate Emerges!***

Last week LPD SRO Daniel Longtin with considerable and valued assistance from the Stanly County Sheriff's Office hosted the third annual Junior Detective Camp week at the Locust Government Center.

During the week campers learned about police investigation techniques and process as well as other aspects of the police and first responder community in addition to free snacks and lunch, rec time, equipment and skills demonstrations, and visits to the West Stanly Fire Department.

After the campers were ceremoniously sworn in as Junior Detectives on Monday by Chief Shew, the case for the week came to light as it was learned the Locust PFP Bank (fictional) reported close to a million dollars total combined missing from hundreds of customer accounts. Our weekly Junior Detectives were tasked to "Follow The Money, Find The Truth" and reminded that good detectives never guess.......they prove.

Throughout the week, campers collected and followed evidence, conducted interviews, and discovered an inside operation involving bank IT Technician Taylor Brooks and Customer Service Rep Olivia Grant. The Junior Detectives were successful in apprehending Brooks and Grant for the crimes and recovered most of the stolen funds but business consultant Vincent "Vinny" Russo had fled the scene with $250k leaving behind in his office an envelope that said "Too Late" with an Ace of Spades playing card inside that was stamped The Ledger Syndicate.

On the last day, Chief Shew congratulated each camper on successfully completing the camp presenting them each with a certificate and a rare 1st edition Locust Police Department challenge coin.

In next year's edition will the campers continue their search for Russo and the nefarious Ledger Syndicate or will a new crime be solved? Find out in 2027!

The Locust Police Department wants to thank all of the personnel and businesses who made this year's Junior Detective camp week a tremendous success!

Stanly County Sheriff's Office - Specifically Deputies Crayton, Parker, Antonucci, and Gerald

Locust Police Department - Detective Smith, Corporal Dietz, K9 Rico

City Of Locust - Cesar Correa (Albert Greenbags), Amy Furr (Karen Mitchell), Stephania Morton (Olivia Grant), Wendy Lowder (Taylor Brooks), Brandi Grismer (Skyler Cole), Scott Efird (Vincent "Vinny" Russo)

Locust Elementary School
New Life Church
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Stanly County Emergency Services
Walmart
West Stanly Fire Department

The Locust Police Department also wants to thank SRO Longtin for all the work he put into creating and coordinating this fantastic summer program, and Detective Sergeant Tucker for all the assistance in coordinating the event.

We will see you in 2027!

07/27/2026

LOCUST POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE/THANK AN OFFICER PROGRAM

Officer Jerry D. Wallace

We received this note of appreciation in our inbox this morning. Though the note may be brief and the action simple, we are always immensely grateful to those who take the time through message or phone call to let us know when they appreciate our officers for a specific event. It validates our belief that Locust officers are not only outstanding officers but also great people.......and whether they admit it or not, it also makes the officer feel pretty great too!

“I just wanted to thank Officer Wallace for how kind he was at the scene of our accident on Friday July 24th. He was absolutely wonderful to work with! Couldn’t have asked for better help at the scene.”

Address

186 Ray Kennedy Drive
Locust, NC
28097

Telephone

+17048884744

Website

https://locustnc.com/locust-police-department/

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