On August 1, 2007 Tom Adkins was named as the City of Hickory's Chief of Police. Chief Adkins joined the Hickory Police Department family 21 years ago and prior to serving the citizens of Hickory; he served the citizens of Barnesville, Ohio for three years.

Chief Adkins began his career at the Hickory Police Department as a patrol officer in 1987, and as he gained more experiece, knowledge and became a leader within the department, he was promoted to Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant, Police Captain, Deputy Chief of Police, Acting Chief of Police, and Chief of Police. He also has experience in all units within the Hickory Police Department and attends neighborhood and business meetings throughout the city on a regular basis. One of the highlights thus far in Chief Adkins' career occurred in the early 1990s when he played an instrumental role in Hickory Police Department's implementation of citywide community policing which began in the Ridgeview community. This was the beginning of community policing in Hickory that is commonly known today as PACT (Police And Community Together).

Chief Adkins is a 2001 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, VA and the US Secret Service Dignitary Protection Seminar in 2007. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Lees-McRae College, in Banner Elk, NC. In addition, he has taken graduate courses at the University of Virginia.

Chief Adkins is not only dedicated to the citizens of Hickory in his role as Chief of Police; he is also devoted to and plays an active role in community and civic organizations. Some of his many volunteer activities include serving lunch at the Hickory Soup Kitchen or helping the Children's Protection Council. He is also a member of these local organizations: Hickory Rotary Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Frye Regional Medical Center South Campus Advisory Board, Board member of Clinton's Corner of Catawba, Inc. and the Children's Advocacy Center of Catawba County Board of Directors.