Rico Boyce Named Raleigh’s 31st Police Chief, Vows Stronger Community Ties

RALEIGH, NC – Deputy Chief Rico Boyce has been named the 31st Chief of the Raleigh Police Department, City Manager Marchell Adams-David announced today, marking the culmination of a national search that ultimately led to a leader who has served Raleigh for more than two decades.

“Rico Boyce has demonstrated that he knows how to effectively work with the community, and our process confirmed the trust the community and the police department have in him,” Adams-David said. “We vetted candidates from all over the U.S. and Canada, and we are confident that Rico Boyce is the right person for the job.”

Boyce, a 25-year veteran of the Raleigh Police Department, will officially take over on March 1, following the retirement of Chief Estella Patterson. In his new role, he will oversee more than 900 personnel, including 792 sworn officers, and lead major public safety initiatives, including the federal Public Safety Partnership and the Violent Crime Action Plan.

A Career Built on Community Engagement & Public Safety

Boyce began his career as a patrol officer in Raleigh’s Southeast District before taking on roles as a school resource officer, gang suppression investigator, and detective in the Financial Crimes Unit. Rising through the ranks, he served as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Watch Commander, and Captain, launching the Cops on Blocks initiative to strengthen relationships between officers and the community.

His leadership continued as Major of Field Operations and later Special Operations, where he helped pioneer Raleigh’s drone unit to improve event monitoring and crime prevention. As Deputy Chief of Administration, he spearheaded an autism awareness program to better serve individuals with special needs.

“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve as Raleigh’s Chief of Police,” Boyce said. “It is truly an honor to lead the greatest officers in the world while continuing to build strong relationships with our amazing community members.”

A Vision for Transparency & Public Trust

One of Boyce’s top priorities as chief is to enhance community trust through transparency and engagement. He has pledged to continue efforts to make Raleigh one of the safest cities in the country while fostering collaboration between law enforcement and residents.

Boyce, a graduate of North Carolina Central University and Pfeiffer University, has completed leadership training at the FBI National Academy, the Raleigh Police Leadership Institute, and the Administrative Officers Management Program.

He will serve as acting chief starting March 1 before being officially sworn in later in the month.