Public Radio East serves Eastern North Carolina by providing news, fine arts, and informational programming that challenges, stimulates, educates, and entertains an intellectually curious audience.

© 2026 Public Radio East

Public Radio East
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562

EIN 56-1802728
Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New cold case unit leads to Kinston Police Department selection as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published July 24, 2025 at 6:45 AM EDT
North Carolina Police Executives Association.

The Kinston Police Department has been selected as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year by the North Carolina Police Executives Association.

NCPEA Immediate Past President James Avens said the agency was chosen because of it’s Cold Case Unit, which was created in 2024.

With only 62 sworn officers, Avens said the Kinston Police Department has implemented a program that rivals efforts found in much larger metropolitan agencies.

He added that their approach is unique, cost-effective, collaborative, and most importantly, it is working.
Annette Weston
Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston