Estella Patterson Sworn In as First Woman to Lead Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Estella Patterson Takes Oath as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief
Estella Patterson was officially sworn in on Friday as the chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in Charlotte, North Carolina. With this swearing-in, she became the first woman to lead the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in its history.
The ceremony took place in Charlotte and marked Patterson’s formal return to the department where she began her law enforcement career in 1996. She started with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as a member of the agency’s 123rd recruit class.
Ceremony Attended by Officials, Colleagues, and Family
The swearing-in ceremony drew city leaders, former colleagues, law enforcement agencies from across North Carolina, and members of Estella Patterson’s family. Attendees gathered to witness the moment she placed her hand on a Bible and repeated the oath of office. Applause filled the room following the completion of the oath.
Gov. Josh Stein attended the event in Charlotte. He was present as Patterson assumed leadership of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Law Enforcement Career in Charlotte and Raleigh
Before accepting the role as chief in Charlotte, Estella Patterson served as the police chief in Raleigh, North Carolina. During her tenure in Raleigh, the city recorded two consecutive years of declines in violent crime. Raleigh also achieved a 100% homicide clearance rate in the most recent year cited during her swearing-in.
Gov. Josh Stein stated that, while he was attorney general and Patterson was Raleigh’s police chief, they partnered to eliminate what he described as the largest backlog of untested rape kits in the country. He said she then worked to move cold case investigations forward, solving crimes, putting people described as dangerous behind bars, and delivering justice to survivors.
Patterson Outlines Priorities for First 100 Days
After the ceremony in Charlotte, Estella Patterson outlined her goals for her first 100 days leading the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. She said her top priority is ensuring that members of the organization know she supports them and stands behind them, and she identified building morale within the department as a central focus.
Patterson also stated that she plans to continue working with the community and said the department is leaning heavily on community support. She said the department will continue to work with community members and push with them to accomplish its goals.
Reactions and Acknowledgments
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles addressed Patterson at the event, expressing confidence in Patterson’s role in building what she described as a safer, stronger, and greater Charlotte for residents.
Patterson said her decision to return to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as chief came from the same drive that brought her to the department nearly 30 years ago. She told attendees that the qualities that initially led her to join the agency had drawn her back to serve as chief of police.
She told reporters she felt overwhelmed with emotion during the ceremony. She noted that members of her family traveled from Florida and officers traveled from Raleigh to support her on the day she was sworn in as Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief.
Future Issues and Law Enforcement Support
Gov. Josh Stein said he has urged the General Assembly to raise pay for law enforcement officers statewide and to provide hiring bonuses. Estella Patterson is expected to address officer compensation in a one-on-one interview scheduled for next week.