25-year CMPD veteran selected as Raleigh’s new police chief

RALEIGH, N.C. — After 25 years with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Estella Patterson is leaving the Queen City to lead another department in North Carolina.

On Thursday, the city of Raleigh announced that Patterson will be its next police chief.

“I am excited to announce that Estella Patterson will be the 30th Police Chief of the Raleigh Police Department,” said Raleigh 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.”

Patterson is currently a Deputy Chief for CMPS, overseeing 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.

“This was an extensive search process where we thoroughly vetted candidates from all over the country,” Adams-David said. “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 earned a 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 the 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.

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.”

Her first day as Raleigh’s police chief will be Aug. 1. She will replace the retiring Cassandra Deck-Brown.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD Chief Deputy Stella Patterson discusses filling officer positions in the force)

INTERVIEW: CMPD Chief Deputy Stella Patterson discusses filling officer positions in the force INTERVIEW: CMPD Chief Deputy Stella Patterson discusses filling officer positions in the force

©2021 Cox Media Group