Retired Chief Estella D. Patterson is a trusted and respected leader who serves with a servant’s heart. She has joined Developmental Associates (DA) as an independent consultant supporting their work in the law enforcement space. She selflessly devoted 30 years of creditable service to the residents of Charlotte, Raleigh, and our great state of North Carolina, with a focus on public safety and community building.
Chief Patterson began her law-enforcement career in 1996 with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) as a member of the 123rd Recruit Class. Progressing through the ranks serving in various roles from patrol sergeant to academy trainer to District Commander, Recruitment Division Commander, IA Commander, and Deputy Chief before moving to Raleigh as Chief in 2021
Under her leadership, Raleigh experienced reductions in homicides year-over-year in 2023 and 2024 with a 100% clearance rate in 2024. Additionally, aggravated assaults, robberies, and burglaries declined. Chief Patterson’s passion for collaboration and inclusion strengthened public-private partnerships within the region. She worked closely with business leaders and community supporters to form the Raleigh Police Department Foundation (RPDF), which launched in July 2022 and to date have raised over $4 million.
Her greatest accomplishment as Chief of Police was achieved in rebuilding morale and expanding wellness initiatives for employees. Officer vacancies were at 150 in 2021 when she arrived in Raleigh. After leading a robust recruitment and hiring initiative, sworn vacancies were reduced by 72%. Chief Patterson credits her successes to the devoted men and women of RPD who embraced the department’s philosophy of TEAM—together everyone achieves more.
Chief Patterson retired on March 1, 2025. She remains connected to the law enforcement community by serving as a CALEA Commissioner and a member of the NC Law Enforcement Accreditation Committee.
