City of Charlotte names first female police chief for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Charlotte area’s largest police force has a new top cop. Estella Patterson was named as the Chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Friday afternoon.

Patterson will head CMPD, after four years leading Raleigh’s department. Prior to that, she spent 25 years with CMPD, reaching the rank of Deputy Chief over patrol services.

She’ll be the department’s first female chief.

“She is consistent. She’s compassionate and caring. She has confidence. I believe that she has the understanding of communication and why it’s important to have transparent communication,” said Rev. Corine Mack, president of Charlotte’s NAACP Chapter.

In a release from the city, Patterson was commended for her ability to reduce vacancies in Raleigh and clear homicide cases.

“I think this chief is going to be good, she will be somebody that understands the social tensions, but she’s very committed to safety,” said Charlotte City Councilmember Ed Driggs.

Driggs, who represents the Ballantyne area, told Queen City News his constituents will be expecting public safety and its perception to be a top priority.

“She’s going to have to work with us to get people more comfortable that it’s okay to go out and that they don’t need to fear for their safety. In my mind, that will entail staffing up the police department,” he added.

Rev. Mack, who was part of the committee that recommended Patterson, wants to see a continued effort to foster a fair and communicative relationship with Charlotte’s black residents.

“We want to make sure that the police understand they are residents of Charlotte as well, or at least part of the community and treated as such. We’re all human beings who deserve to have the same human rights and civil rights as anyone else,” said Mack.

Patterson will be introduced to the public through a news conference scheduled for Monday morning.