Durham residents are being asked to help decide who wears the city’s next police chief badge, with an online survey open through April 24. City leaders are seeking public input as Police Chief Patrice Andrews prepares to retire on May 1, closing out 25 years with the Durham Police Department.
The questionnaire asks residents what qualities matter most in a chief and digs into views on community police relationships, department priorities and leadership style. It is available in English and Spanish and will remain open through Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m., according to WRAL. City officials say the responses will shape what they look for in candidates and help set the bar for the recruitment process.
Andrews has spent a combined 25 years in Durham policing and has served as the city’s chief since 2021. Her final day is scheduled for May 1. The News & Observer earlier detailed her career path, noting her earlier leadership roles, including a stint as police chief in Morrisville before returning to lead Durham.
Speaking to WRAL, City Manager Bo Ferguson said, “Our Police Department’s mission makes clear that safety, partnership, and quality of life are at the heart of this work.” The city’s recruitment firm will also gather input from executive leadership at local public safety agencies, police employees and other stakeholders, and city and department leaders say they expect to wrap up the search in roughly 90 days.
How to weigh in
Residents can find the survey on the city’s police chief search page and through Durham’s usual community engagement channels. City officials say they are hoping for a broad mix of voices so the recruitment firm and city leadership have a clear picture of neighborhood priorities before any finalists are chosen.
Why it matters
The next chief will help determine policing strategy, staffing priorities and how officers engage with residents at a time when leaders are juggling public safety goals with department capacity. Local coverage has highlighted shifting crime trends and staffing challenges that raise the stakes for this hire, with ABC11 providing additional context on the moment of transition.
The survey closes at 5 p.m. on April 24, so residents who want their views included in the process should speak up before the deadline. City officials say the feedback will be factored into both recruitment and vetting as candidates move through the final stages.
