Palkovics assumes role as Police Chief in Town of Kitty Hawk – OBX Today

Palkovics assumes role as Police Chief in Town of Kitty Hawk - OBX Today
Michael Palkovics. [Submitted/Town of Kitty Hawk]
The Town of Kitty Hawk is pleased to announce Michael Palkovics will join our team as the Town’s new Police Chief. He will begin his new role on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, and succeeds Chief Joel C. Johnson, who retired in February.

Chief Palkovics says, “I want to thank Town Manager Melody Clopton and the entire Staff for the opportunity to serve the Town of Kitty Hawk as their next Police Chief.  I look forward to meeting with the community, the town leadership team, and the men and women of the Kitty Hawk Police Department and begin taking the agency to the next level of excellence. I am committed to working with everyone in the community and town government to continue providing the excellent service the department is known for while building a strong and comprehensive public safety team for the Town of Kitty Hawk.”

Chief Palkovics brings a wealth of policing experience, serving the Henrico County Virginia Police Division, since 1993.  He retired in June as a Lieutenant Colonel and second in command over Support Operations for Henrico.

During his tenure, he has been in patrol, field operations, professional standards, internal affairs, community services in the school system, and community policing.

Chief Palkovics holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University.  He is a graduate of the 59th Administrative Offices Management Program at North Carolina State University, the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University, the 44th Session of the Police Executive Leadership School, FBI LEEDA Trilogy and the Virginia LEEDS program.

Chief Palkovics has received the Leslie T. Sheppard Award in Community Policing, Lifesaving Awards and two Meritorious Unit awards.

Melody Clopton, Kitty Hawk Town Manager, said “I am very excited to have someone with Chief Palkovics’ skills and experience take over the leadership of our police department.  During the recruitment process, staff were heavily involved identifying qualities and key issues they felt were important when selecting a new Chief. We are all looking forward to Chief Palkovics using his knowledge and experience to lead the department in becoming the premier department in our area. I would like to thank Interim Chief James Helms, and all our police staff for doing a tremendous job during our search for the right candidate.  Chief Palkovics has a very strong and dedicated group of people looking forward to working with him.”

Mayor Craig Garriss added “After an extensive search and interview process, I am very pleased with the selection of Mike Palkovics to be our next Kitty Hawk Police Chief. Chief Palkovics has a very distinguished and honorable career in Law Enforcement. I, along with the entire Town Council, look forward to him joining our leadership team. I could not be more pleased.”

The Town of Kitty Hawk invites the public to a meet and greet for Chief Palkovics on Monday, August 7th from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.  It will be held at the Town of Kitty Hawk Town Hall and light refreshments will be served.