Estella Patterson Appointed As Charlotte,NC New Police Chief

Estella Patterson has been appointed as the next police chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. She began her law enforcement career with CMPD as a recruit in 1996. This appointment marks her as the first female police chief in the history of Charlotte.

Patterson served as the Chief of the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) from August 2021 until March 2025. This announcement comes as a surprise to many, as she had previously indicated in March 2025 that she would be retiring.

During her time in Raleigh, the Raleigh Police Protective Association reported that the average salary for officers rose by $5,000.

An introductory press conference for Patterson is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3.

Charlotte City Manager, Marcus Jones shared sentiments on Pattersons appointment.

“Chief Patterson’s deep experience with CMPD in addition to her recent experience leading the Raleigh Police Department made her an ideal candidate to continue CMPD’s successes but also bring new ideas to further the agency’s growth,” Jones said in the press release.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to return to Charlotte to serve the community and lead CMPD into its next chapter,” Patterson, a former CMPD deputy chief, said. “Reducing violent crime and disorder, enhancing community engagement, and increasing employee morale and wellness are among my top priorities. I look forward to working collaboratively with law enforcement partners and community stakeholders to make Charlotte one of the safest cities in the nation.”