Chief of Police
Chief Stephen F. Dollinger
Chief Stephen F. Dollinger joined the Hope Mills Police Department in January of 2022 with over 30 years of law enforcement experience.
Chief Dollinger started his career in law enforcement with the Middletown Township Police Department, New Jersey, in 1985 as a police explorer and special police officer before being sworn in as a full-time officer in 1994. He served the Middletown until he retired as Deputy Chief of Police in February of 2019.
After retiring from the Middletown Police Department, Chief Dollinger was appointed Chief of Police of the St. Pauls Police Department, North Carolina, in December of 2019. He served the citizens of St. Pauls until being appointed as Chief of the Hope Mills Police Department.
During his career, Chief Dollinger has served as a patrol officer, canine officer, detective, and task force officer.
Chief Dollinger holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Monmouth University, NJ, and a Masters Degree in Administrative Sciences from Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ. He is a graduate of the 256th session of the F.B.I National Academy, the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, as well as other state and nationally recognized law enforcement training and leadership programs.
Along with his team, he will focus on growing the department and making the community of Hope Mills safer through the implementation of technology, community policing programs, and building trusting relationships with community stakeholders.
Chief Dollinger is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the North Carolina Chiefs of Police Association, the FBI National Academy Associates, International Police Work Dog Association, and is a life member of the Middletown Township Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
Chief Dollinger would like to acknowledge the hundreds of dedicated law enforcement officers he has had the privilege of serving with throughout his career. He is honored to be leading the Hope Mills Police Department.