ANNISTON, AL — After 25 years of service to the City of Anniston, Police Chief Nick Bowles is preparing to formally close one chapter and begin another.
Chief Bowles submitted his official letter of intent to retire to City Hall in December, confirming that Thursday, January 8, 2026, will be his final day with the Anniston Police Department. The city honored his service with a retirement celebration today, allowing colleagues, city leaders, and community members the opportunity to say a final farewell.
“It has been a great honor to serve the City of Anniston for the past 25 years,” Chief Bowles said in an interview with The Calhoun Journal. “I have had some of the best times of my life working here and met some of the best people throughout my career.”
Chief Bowles began his law enforcement career after graduating from the police academy in November 2000. Though he applied to multiple departments within Calhoun County, Anniston moved him through the hiring process first — a decision he says shaped his career.
“They took a chance on me, so I stayed loyal to them,” he said.
Throughout his tenure, Chief Bowles served in numerous roles within the department, gaining experience across nearly every major division. He joined the Special Response Team in 2002, serving as both an operator and sniper before transitioning into Internal Affairs, where he later became a negotiator. From 2004 to 2009, he worked in Investigations, handling a wide range of cases with a focus on white-collar crimes.
From 2016 to 2020, while serving as Patrol Captain, Chief Bowles also took on the role of Special Response Team Commander. In 2020, he was appointed Chief of Police, a position he has held for the past five years.
“I would like to thank my entire staff for the past five years since I have been in this position,” Chief Bowles said. “Without their support, guidance, and hard work, I would not have been able to fulfill my obligations to the visitors and citizens of Anniston.”
As chief, Bowles said he is most proud of initiatives that strengthened public trust and officer readiness, including the creation of the Community Relations Unit, the acquisition of a BearCat armored vehicle for the Special Response Team, and the establishment of the downtown bike and park patrol unit.
“I didn’t do anything by myself,” he emphasized. “All decisions were a collective effort of the administration and City Hall. I tried to make the most of the resources I was afforded and make the best decisions for the visitors and citizens of the City of Anniston.”
Looking back on his career as a whole, Chief Bowles said simply reaching retirement is an accomplishment.
“This job can be stressful,” he said. “Everyone has rough patches, and it’s easy to run from your problems or jump ship. Powering through those hard times and making it to the finish line is something not everyone gets to do.”
City leadership echoed appreciation for Chief Bowles’ long-standing service. Anniston Mayor Ciara Smith offered the following statement:
“Chief Bowles has given himself tirelessly not only to the City of Anniston, but also to the profession of protecting and serving. It takes immense courage, grit, and persistence to remain steadfast in public service despite the challenges the world throws your way, and he has done so with unwavering determination. I am truly grateful for his leadership and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
With Chief Bowles’ departure, the decision on his successor will be made by City Manager Kenneth Free. Chief Bowles said he wishes the next chief nothing but success.
“The city manager will make the determination on who will replace me, and I wish them well,” he said.
Retirement, however, does not mean stepping completely away from law enforcement. Chief Bowles plans to remain active as a reserve officer through APD’s retired and reserve program, assisting the department as needed. He has also accepted a position in the private sector.
“I’m still forklift certified, so I may explore some options there,” he joked. “And I can’t take too much time off — my wife will have a ‘honey-do’ list a mile long.”
As for his message to the community, Chief Bowles expressed gratitude for the public support he experienced throughout his career.
“The majority of Anniston’s citizens support law enforcement, and I appreciate that,” he said. “Have we made mistakes? Sure. We correct them and move on. I hope people continue to support APD through thick and thin.”
As colleagues and community members gathered today to celebrate his service, Chief Bowles leaves the department with pride and confidence in its future.
“I leave this position with great pride in what we’ve accomplished together,” he said, “and full confidence in the department’s continued success.”
During the retirement celebration held in the municipal courtroom in Anniston, the City Council presented Chief Bowles with a proclamation thanking and honoring him for his decades of service to law enforcement. City Manager Free then presented Chief Bowles with a plaque thanking him for his service to the city, followed by the presentation of the key to the city.
Chief Bowles concluded the ceremony by stating, “Shelley [his wife] cried when my retirement was announced. She said we made it to the finish line.”
