Hickory Police Department welcomes six new recruits

The Hickory Police Department welcomes six new recruits to the department after they completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training program through Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC).

Matthew Elliot, Bradley Simmons, James Swearingen, Brandon Weiland, Logan Whisnant, and Matthew Kelly all graduated on Tuesday, August 16.

“We are excited to welcome our new officers to the HPD family and the Hickory Community,” Deputy Chief of Police Reed Baer said. “Their hard work in B.L.E.T. has earned them the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those they will serve.”

Elliott is from Granite Falls and attended Draughn High School.

Kelly comes to HPD from Rutherfordton. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy and previously worked as a CDL truck driver.

Swearingen grew up in Blair, South Carolina. He graduated from Richard Winn Academy and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s in Business Management.

Whisnant is from Caldwell County and graduated from Wilkes Central High School. He obtained his degree in Criminal Justice at Wilkes Community College.

Weiland is from New Bern and attended Havelock High School. He worked to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Appalachian State.

Simmons is from Alexander County and graduated from Alexander Central High School. He comes to HPD from the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and has over a year of experience in the criminal justice field.