Incoming N.C. Police Chief's Goals: Fill Vacancies, then More Hiring

“We will seek the best and the brightest to fill our ranks. "When we get to zero vacancies, … I’m going to ask for more officers so that we can better serve this community," says incoming Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson.

By Jeff A. Chamer

Source The Charlotte Observer

Nov. 3, 2025

2 min read

What to know

Incoming Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson said she plans to eliminate all officer vacancies after taking office Dec. 1 and will then request additional staffing to meet community needs.
Patterson emphasized recruitment, community collaboration and improving officer morale as key priorities, along with a firm stance on reducing violent crime.
The former Raleigh police chief and former CMPD deputy chief was introduced Monday.

“We will seek the best and the brightest to fill our ranks. 'When we get to zero vacancies, … I’m going to ask for more officers so that we can better serve this community,' says incoming Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson. — Incoming Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC, Police Chief Estella Patterson.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police’s incoming chief, Estella Patterson, said her goal is to fill all officer vacancies at the department after she’s sworn in on Dec. 1. And once she’s done that, she said, she’s going to ask the city to hire more officers.

Patterson, 53, was introduced by City Manager Marcus Jones to a buzzing room at a press conference Monday morning at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.

“We will seek the best and the brightest to fill our ranks,” Patterson said, with Jones, Mayor Vi Lyles and current Chief Johnny Jennings flanking her. “When we get to zero vacancies, Mr. Manager, I’m going to come up to you and to council, and I’m going to ask for more officers so that we can better serve this community.”

It wasn’t clear how many sworn vacancies there are currently within CMPD.

At times, Patterson and the other leaders cracked jokes about NFL team allegiances (Jennings is a Dallas Cowboys fan and Patterson a San Francisco 49ers fan), while at other times she spoke seriously about reducing violent crime.

“To the criminal element, hear me loudly,” Patterson said. “Your actions will not go unchecked.”

Patterson said she was interested in seeing more collaborations between the department and community members, as well as improved officer morale.

Jones has not yet released Patterson’s salary. She retired earlier this year as chief of the Raleigh Police Department and had previously worked for CMPD, rising to the position a deputy chief.

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