BLADENBORO, NC — Bladenboro Police Chief Justin Hewett issued a public statement Friday addressing online rumors surrounding the cancellation of his North Carolina firearms instructor certification, acknowledging that he missed a required training update while strongly denying any intentional misconduct or falsification of records.
In a statement shared on social media, Hewett said he was unaware that his instructor certification had been revoked due to the missed course until recently.
“I will not make excuses for missing a required training update,” Hewett wrote. “However, I will not accept allegations of dishonesty, intentional misconduct, or deliberate disregard for the standards of this profession when that is not what occurred.”
Hewett refuted claims circulating online that he knowingly falsified training documentation, misrepresented his status, or continued qualifying officers after discovering the cancellation. He also clarified that the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division did not issue a cease-and-desist order to surrounding agencies or move to suspend operations at the Bladenboro Police Department. Instead, Hewett stated he voluntarily sent letters to the heads of departments where he had conducted firearms training to disclose the lapse and coordinate corrective steps.
According to Hewett, there has been no interruption in local law enforcement coverage in Bladenboro, and all affected officers have already completed their firearms requalifications with the assistance of other certified instructors.
Sworn in as Bladenboro’s police chief on July 29, 2026, Hewett is a 25-year law enforcement veteran. His career includes service in Holden Beach, a previous tenure as police chief in Fair Bluff in 2012, roles as a K9 officer, school resource officer, and detention supervisor with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, and service as a K9 officer with N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement. He also briefly returned to Fair Bluff as a captain in 2025 before being dismissed without explanation alongside another officer in July 2026, with town records indicating no disciplinary action was taken.
“My commitment to law enforcement, the officers who serve our communities, and the profession itself has not changed,” Hewett said.
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