University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Cheryl Lunsford

OH-VOA L861 Ch

Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Cheryl Lunsford Oral History

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Lunsford, Cheryl
Asheville (N.C.) -- History
Law Enforcement -- North Carolina -- Asheville
Policewomen -- North Carolina -- Asheville

Subject

Keyword: Police Department ; Drugs ; A-B Tech

Description

Abstract: Lunsford discusses her career with the Asheville Police Department, which she joined in 1977.  She describes hiring, investigation and training procedures, outlining the progress of a typical officer's career, and discusses the difference between state and city systems.  She also describes different divisions of officers, and gives details about the internal organization of the department.  She discusses women in the police force, and describes changes that have occurred in the department and in the city over the years.  She talks about the increasing amount of drug use and violence in schools, and discusses the causes of this as well as steps that the department takes to prevent and discourage this.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Cheryl Lunsford

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-05-20

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 8-page abstract ; 1 45-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 2 color photographs ; newspaper articles and brochures

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA L861 Ch

Language

English

Relation

References: VOA Captain John Best Oral History ; VOA Captain Robert J. and Louise Branson Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

[1/174] Lunsford, Leroy
[1/174] Colvin, Dan
[1/208] Robinson, Connie
[1/307] Marple, Jeanie
[1/540] Hall, Chief

Side 1:

[1] She is senior secretary to the Chief of Police and is responsible for the publication of the newly published book about the department (see enclosure). Born in Fairview, she graduated from Reynolds High School and joined the department in 1977. She worked in the records room for 10 years and then with four mayors.

[30] There is more pressure on the job than in the past due to a change in the attitude of the public. There is more "legalese," and "use of force" forms are a recent addition to the paper work. The men are better trained in basic law enforcement and study at A-B Tech for 500 hours. Every month there is some sort of training.

[46] In order to be in the service, a civil service test is given. This is followed by investigation of background, tests, physical examination and an interview by a panel. The chief has the final word.

[71] If officers feel they have been discriminated against, they can appeal in writing.

[79] Young aspiring officers know what to expect and are well-oriented to the problems they will face.

[90] In the past officers were assigned to a specific area for a period of time. This was changed to a zone structure but this proved less efficient and they will return to the area assignment so they can better learn their territory.

[105] The number of officers employed is based on population. The manpower allocation is based on the amount of money allocated by the city council. Due to annexation, 7 new officers were just hired. There is a hiring freeze periodically due to financial restrictions.

[131]  Most officers stay in the service for their entire career (30 years) and advance during that time according to the courses they have taken and their records. There is no set retirement age and there is a difference between the state and city systems.

[160] After basic training, officers go with experienced officers for 90 days - rotating officers and being evaluated on safety, etc. Then they go "'quasi solo" and then get their own car.

[174] There is one horse for horse patrol, a canine division (one dog) for drug search and 4 officers on downtown walking beat. For almost a year 4 officers have been assigned to each housing development. There used to be a 24-hour coverage in conjunction with the Housing Authority. [Leroy Lunsford, Dan Colvin]

[208] Officers are trained in finger-printing, mug shots and using the breathalyzer. Each squad has a member trained in one or all of these areas. [Connie Robinson]

[216] There are 5 squads made up of 15-19 officers. These squads rotate hours and overlap one hour at midnight and evening. In the future there will be a new structure - 4 Platoons. These will again rotate and overlap. This will work in with the new "beat" structure. For the convenience of people with children, some officers can have permanent day duty.

[239] Having women officers is relatively new. There are now about 20 and some are married to officers. When she joined the office in 1977 she was hired to replace a woman who became an officer.

[258] There have been many changes in the city during her years of service. The shopping stores (Penney's, Woolworth, Eckerds) are gone. Projects have replaced downtown houses. People who still live in town must go to malls to shop. Drugs have increased.

[290] There were no drugs in school when she was attending. Pot was available sometimes but there were no hard drugs. Now they are in the elementary school and children can make $200 a week selling.

[307] There is a drug awareness program in the schools and an officer spends time in the different 4^th and 5^th grades in schools giving courses, t-shirts and diplomas for completion. [Jeanne Marple]

[330] This year 12 guns have been found in school. Parents leave them lying around and children are influenced by TV programs.

[354] A new dog, replacing a 10-year-old, has been donated, trained, and sent to a special academy for smelling drugs.

[385] The emergency response team, made up of a combination of city and county officers, has made a big dent in drug traffic in the last 1 ½ years.

[404] Officers are entering the force at a younger age. There aren't many left with 20-30 years service. Most have been in for 8 years or less. They have to be 21 to join.

[418] The Fraternal Order of Police, a nationwide organization, offers legal service, news letters, social gatherings, etc. to members who pay dues.

[443] There are several husband and wife teams. Most married while in the service and, while they are in different squads, they are given the same days off.

[475] She feels that officers were made for this kind of work. She wouldn't want to do it and said that, even though it is hard work, most have second jobs - security officers, etc.

[501] There is a city-wide employee assistance program which offers psychiatric service which is part of the insurance program.

[533] Women have to go through the same endurance training as the men.

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