Anthony Puckett is the Zebulon police chief, having taken command of the Town of Zebulon, North Carolina police department in November 2025. He succeeded interim chief Bob Grossman, who had held the role since January 2025 after former chief Jacqui Boykin left to lead the Woodfin Police Department in western North Carolina.
How Puckett Was Appointed
Puckett came to Zebulon from the North Carolina State University Police Department, where he held the rank of major. His arrival ended a roughly ten-month interim period under Deputy Chief Bob Grossman, a 25-year veteran of the department who stepped up when Boykin’s departure took effect on January 1, 2025.
The chief is appointed by the town manager, not elected. That reflects Zebulon’s council-manager form of government: the elected Board of Commissioners sets policy, and the town manager handles day-to-day administration, including hiring department heads.1Town of Zebulon. Government Because the manager can hire and remove the chief, the position answers to appointed leadership rather than directly to voters or commissioners.
The Previous Chief
Jacqui Boykin led the Zebulon Police Department from November 2020 through the end of 2024. She left to become chief of the Woodfin Police Department in Buncombe County, starting there in January 2025.2Town of Woodfin. A Message From Our Chief Before Boykin, Timothy Hayworth served as Zebulon’s chief for 20 years before retiring in July 2020.
The Department Puckett Runs
As of January 2026, the Zebulon Police Department has 31 sworn officers along with civilian support staff.3Town of Zebulon. Press Release – Zebulon Police Department Swears in Two New Officers Following BLET Graduation The department is organized into three divisions under a deputy chief, with the chief of police at the top of the command structure.4Town of Zebulon. About Us – Police Department Funding comes through the town’s general fund as a line item in the annual budget ordinance adopted by the Board of Commissioners each fiscal year.5Town of Zebulon. Fee Schedules and Budgets
Officers use body-worn cameras and digital reporting systems, and the department applies data-driven patrol strategies that concentrate resources on locations and times where incident patterns suggest higher risk.
What the Chief’s Job Covers
North Carolina law authorizes municipalities to appoint a chief of police and employ officers, creating a direct employer-employee relationship between the town and its police force.6North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statute 160A-281 – Policemen Appointed In Zebulon, that translates into a familiar set of responsibilities:
- Running day-to-day operations: patrol schedules, personnel assignments across divisions, and investigations.
- Preparing the department’s annual budget proposal and managing spending within the board-approved allocation.
- Hiring, training, promoting, and disciplining officers within the chain of command.
- Turning the board’s priorities into departmental policies, from traffic enforcement to community engagement.
- Ensuring officers enforce both state criminal laws and local town ordinances inside the municipal jurisdiction.
Reaching the Department
The Zebulon Police Department is located at 1001 North Arendell Avenue in Zebulon. The non-emergency administrative line is 919-269-7455, available during regular business hours. For emergencies, call 911.
Getting a Police Report or Body Camera Footage
Incident reports are available at the police station. Visit the front window with enough identifying information about the incident, such as the date and the names of anyone involved, so staff can locate the correct report.7Town of Zebulon. Police Reports and Services
Body camera footage works differently. Under North Carolina law, law enforcement recordings are not public records, so you cannot simply request a copy.8North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 – 132-1.4A Two separate processes apply:
- To view a recording, you or an authorized representative (spouse, attorney, parent of a minor, or guardian) can request a viewing if your image or voice appears in the footage. The department picks the time and location, and you must provide legal documentation of your relationship to the person in the recording.7Town of Zebulon. Police Reports and Services
- To obtain a copy, you need a court order. File a Petition for Release (AOC form CV-270) with the Wake County Clerk of Court, then serve a file-stamped copy on the Zebulon Police Department at 1001 N. Arendell Ave., Zebulon, NC 27597.7Town of Zebulon. Police Reports and Services
The court privately reviews the footage and decides whether to release it in full, with redactions, at a later date, or not at all.8North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 – 132-1.4A