HINESVILLE, GA – At the regularly scheduled August 2 Hinesville City Council meeting, council voted unanimously to appoint Interim Police Chief Bill Kirkendall as Chief of Police of the Hinesville Police Department (HPD) after a recommendation from Hinesville City Manager Kenneth Howard. 

“Since the retirement of our former Chief of Police, George Stagmeier, Chief Kirkendall has done an outstanding job of stepping in and not only keeping the department running, but making substantial improvements to the overall operation of the department and to the morale of our officers,” said Howard. “While we had several incredibly qualified candidates, I feel confident that we chose the most qualified individual who will continue to help propel the city forward with our tradition of success and excellence.”

Kirkendall has been with the HPD for nearly 30 years and was named Interim Chief of Police by City Council at the regularly scheduled March 1, 2018 city council meeting. In his time with the HPD, he has served in as a field training officer, DARE officer, drug team investigator, assistant commander, administrative support corporal, traffic accident investigation commander, internal affairs investigator and uniform patrol division commander.

He has completed over 2,800 hours of advanced law enforcement training and served as president of the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition. 

He has a B.S. in Public Safety from Mercer University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Savannah Technical College where he graduated with honors.

“Chief Kirkendall understands that a department is only as strong as the community it serves, which is why in his time with the HPD, he has been dedicated to building trust and confidence throughout the city,” said Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown. “He has already implemented real change and I look forward to watching the progress he makes as he steps into this much deserved roll.”