City of Raleigh Names New Police Chief

RALEIGH, NC – The City of Raleigh has selected Estella Patterson as its newest Police Chief following a competitive national search. She has been employed with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for the past 25 years.

“I am excited to announce that Estella Patterson will be the 30th Police Chief of the Raleigh Police Department,” said City Manager Marchell Adams-David. “She understands the important issues that police departments across our country are facing today and she is more than capable of leading RPD in this new era of policing. Now more than ever, leadership matters, community connections matter, and I believe Estella Patterson is the right person for the job.”

“This was an extensive search process where we thoroughly vetted candidates from all over the country. I appreciate all the community involvement we received and am confident that we have found the best fit for our community and the Raleigh Police Department in Chief Patterson.”

Patterson is a Deputy Chief with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and currently oversees the Patrol Services Group. She has been a member of CMPD since 1996, serving in several roles, including patrol officer, instructor, division commander, recruitment director, and Internal Affairs commander.

She earned an M.S. in criminal justice from the University of Oklahoma and a B.A. in political science from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

She is currently the President of the Greater Charlotte Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and an executive board member of the N.C. Police Executives Association. Additionally, she serves as a Commissioner on N.C. Education and Training Standards Commission, which regulates the training, certification, and policy-making for all police officers in the state of North Carolina. Deputy Chief Patterson also served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1996-2005.  

“I am honored at the opportunity to lead the fine men and women of the Raleigh Police Department,” said Patterson. “I am looking forward to strengthening the relationships with citizens and residents in the community and advancing 21st-century policing ideals to make Raleigh the safest city in America.  I am thankful to all for their trust and confidence in me.”

Estella Patterson’s first day on the job will be August 1. Deputy Chief Todd Jordan will serve as interim Chief of Police beginning July 1.