09/28/2026
HEAR WHAT THE HOPE MILLS CITIZENS ARE SAYING!🥲
We would like to SAY thank you to Tammie Kelly for her backing the BLUE! We appreciate everything you are doing and have done for our Chief. It is very sad that we have to watch our Chief endure ridicule daily by the town employees. 🚔💙🖤🚔💙🖤🚔
PLEASE READ LETTER BELOW
My name is Tammie Kelley and I live in Hope Mills. I’m here today to talk about some behaviors I’ve seen that have been disheartening as a citizen of this town, as a taxpayer and as a Christian myself.
It’s easy to dehumanize the police if you aren’t used to seeing them every day.
The police department has a chain of command, from Captain (which we don’t have right now) to Chief, Dollinger, we have a Deputy Chief, … all the way through to our patrol officers. Some are new to their profession, others have worn their badge for over 30 years. We have many who have served our country in branches of the military. Each one very deserving of our respect, of this board’s respect!
When my husband and I lived in Colorado we became friends with many law enforcement officers and their families. And we lost 3 very close friends of ours, who were killed in the line of duty over the course of the 20 years.
For that reason, I am very grateful to and hugely and humbley support the thin blue line.
So when I tell you that I stand before this board, disappointed by the lack of respect and support I’ve seen by members of this board, and it hurts my heart to say that. However, it’s the truth and I’m here to be transparent.
Listening to this board come up with excuses for it’s behavior, for mismanagement of money,
*listen to people tell “half truths “
Or point fingers about what one department is or is not doing to another department’s expectations or lack there of has been disgraceful and unethical.
That’s a lack of integrity!! I’ve watched HR stand right here and behave childishly and disrespectfully towards our Chief. (Aug 17 if you need a specific date)The same night that he was disrespected by you Mayor Bellflowers, and other members of this board. Mayor, you recall that, you & I corresponded back and forth via email re; said incident.
Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day that they put on their uniforms that you see them wearing today.
They took an Oath to protect and serve our community. Even though many people of this community lack respect for them. Even though the people who sit before me have shown little respect and regard for them as well.
Many of these officers live very private lives. They don’t want recognition, they don’t seek any pats on the back, no “at a boys” for their jobs well done, although it is all most definitely deserved.
My point is this, and I want to make this point with a question..
How do you expect this community, especially the younger generation to respect our Police Officers when they see this board acting disrespectful! Don’t you think it’s time you as the board and members /employees of this Town Hall start doing your jobs well and with excellence? Do you ask yourself every day that your goal is to do your job with excellence, integrity, to do your job well?
This lack of respect that I’ve seen looks like a heart problem. That is cultural epidemic, a lack of respect for law enforcement and authority.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We should see more people who support the thin blue line, we have to make a change in the way people think.
There needs to be a return to honor, that you are a person of integrity, a person of your word and you do both with excellence. Part of honor, is taking responsibility for when you are wrong, accepting the consequences for your actions and admitting that you have done wrong.
Our Police Department does this!! Every member of HMPD does this. Our Chief and Deputy Chief work VERY HARD, to set a high standard, aiming to keep the morale HIGH for each and everyone of their officers,
Despite the fact that this board and HR has recked havoc on them.
It’s time you start working with our PD in support of them, with RESPECT, INTEGRITY AND WITH VIRTUE.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching
And Virtue goes hand in hand with that, because Virtue is doing what is right so often it becomes automatic, it becomes a habit.
Let me end with this Bible verse:
Because this reminds me of what these men and women behind me stand for:
Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
