7 Critical Facts About The Concord Police Dept NC: New Chief, Crime Stats, And The Tree Lighting Shooting

The Concord Police Department (CPD) in North Carolina continues to navigate the complexities of a rapidly growing city, balancing a commitment to community-oriented policing with the immediate demands of major public safety incidents. As of December 2025, the department is focused on maintaining its national "gold standard" accreditation while actively managing the fallout and ongoing investigation from a high-profile shooting that disrupted a beloved annual event.

This in-depth look provides the most current information available, highlighting the department's leadership, its specialized units, and the evidence-based strategies used to serve the residents of Concord and Cabarrus County. From key personnel changes to the latest crime statistics, understanding the CPD’s structure and mission is essential for residents and prospective officers alike.

Concord Police Department Leadership Profile: Chief Jimmy Hughes

The Concord Police Department is led by Chief Jimmy Hughes, a veteran officer with over 25 years of dedicated service to the city.

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• Name: Jimmy Hughes
• Current Position: Chief of Police, Concord Police Department
• Appointment Date: January 29, 2024 (Promoted from Interim Chief)
• Hired by CPD: 1998, began as a patrol officer
• Career Progression: Promoted to Sergeant in 2004, Captain in 2013, Major in 2017 (Patrol Bureau Commander), and Deputy Chief of Police in 2019.
• Specialized Roles: Original member of the CPD SWAT team and served as SWAT Commander.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Management/Finance from Pfeiffer University (1998) and a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia (2023).
• Advanced Training: Graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 283) and the Police Executive Research Forum - Senior Management Institute for Police (Session 67).
• Major Awards: Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Eury Memorial Award (Cabarrus County's highest honor for law enforcement) in 2020, the CPD's Meritorious Conduct Award, and the 2008 Officer of the Year award.

Major 2025 Incident: Tree Lighting Ceremony Shooting Investigation

The Concord Police Department faced one of its most challenging public safety events in recent history with a shooting that occurred during the annual City of Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 21, 2025.

The incident, which took place on Union Street S, caused chaos and resulted in four gunshot wound victims who were transported to the hospital. Police, Concord Fire, and Cabarrus County EMS were already present at the event and were able to respond immediately to provide aid and evacuate attendees.

CPD’s subsequent investigation determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence directed at the public, but rather an altercation between individuals who knew each other.

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• Suspect 1 Charged: Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, of Concord, was identified as one of the shooters and charged in December 2025 after his release from the hospital. He faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and inciting a riot.
• Suspect 2 Charged (Juvenile): A 15-year-old suspect was also charged in December 2025 via petitions filed through the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Charges include assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and two counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied property.
• Suspect 3 Charged: Keyvyonn Rayshaund Bostic, 17, of Concord, was charged as an adult with accessory after the fact and inciting a riot.

Police Chief Jimmy Hughes commended the community's strength and resilience, as well as the quick actions of first responders and downtown businesses, for helping to prevent additional injuries and identify the suspects. The department continues to ask the public for any videos or photos from the event to assist the ongoing investigation.

Concord PD’s Commitment to Excellence and Community Policing

The Concord Police Department operates under a clear, values-based Code of Conduct, which is anchored by its core mission and national accreditation.

National Accreditation and Professional Standards

The CPD proudly holds national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), which is widely recognized as the "gold standard in public safety."

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The department achieved its first CALEA accreditation in July 2022 after a rigorous, multi-year process that involved compliance with 180 internationally accepted public safety standards. The CPD is one of only about 5% of law enforcement agencies nationwide and one of just 46 municipal agencies in North Carolina to obtain this prestigious status, demonstrating its commitment to transparency, accountability, and best practices.

Core Values and Mission

The department's operational philosophy is centered on evidence-based community policing strategies.

• Mission: "In partnership with the community, we will reduce the levels of crime, fear, and disorder through evidence-based policing strategies. We embrace transparency and accountability, provide exceptional service, and are committed to a culture of excellence."
• Vision: "A community where citizens and police work together, in harmony, to achieve the highest standards of public safety."
• Core Values (The 6 C's): Competence, Courage, Integrity, Leadership, Respect, and Restraint.

Key CPD Divisions and Community Outreach Programs

The Concord Police Department is structured into several Bureaus and Divisions, including the Patrol Bureau (the first line of response), the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), and the Operations Bureau. The city is divided into four Patrol Districts: Adam, Baker, Charlie, and David.

Proactive Community Engagement

A major focus of the CPD is proactive engagement through its Community Outreach and Education Unit, which includes a team of School Resource Officers (SROs).

• Citizen Public Safety Academy: An eight-week spring course, with the 2026 program starting in mid-February, that allows adult residents to learn about the functions of the Police, Fire, and Communications departments.
• Youth Police Academy: A program designed to reach out to local students and provide positive interaction with law enforcement.
• Neighborhood Watch: A crime prevention program that coordinates community members and law enforcement to report suspicious activity and address quality-of-life concerns.
• D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education): Taught by SROs to help students develop good decision-making skills for safe and healthy lives.
• Concord Police Foundation (CPF): An independent non-profit established in 2021 to support CPD employees, their families, and to supplement funding for innovative community policing programs and equipment.

Crime Rate Snapshot (2025 Data)

Despite the high-profile incidents, Concord maintains a reputation as a generally safe and desirable place to live.

• Overall Safety Score: Concord holds a B+ crime score.
• Safest Areas: Approximately 71% of the city scores an A grade for safety, with neighborhoods like Christenbury and The Mills at Rocky River noted as the safest.
• Recent Trends: Concord saw an overall 7% decrease in crime between 2021 and 2022.
• National Recognition: A June 2025 study named Concord, NC, among the safest and most affordable cities in America for families, ranking it No. 12 overall.

Concord Police Department Contact Information

For residents and visitors, knowing the appropriate contact channels is crucial for efficient communication with the Concord Police Department.

• Emergency: 911
• Police Communications (Non-Emergency): (704) 786-9155
• Information Desk/Customer Service: (704) 920-5000
• Physical Address (Headquarters): 41 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord, NC 28026
• Criminal Investigations Division (CID): (704) 920-5055
• Police Records: (704) 920-5052
• Narcotics Enforcement: (704) 920-5074

The Concord Police Department continues to evolve its strategies and resources, from welcoming new officers (23 in January 2025 and six new officers with nine promotions in October 2025) to embracing technology like the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and Rapid-DNA to enhance crime-solving capabilities. The department remains a cornerstone of public safety in the region, dedicated to its community partnership model.