By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The Durham Police Department announced August 12 the appointment of Stephanie Mardis as permanent police chief, effective September 8, following three months of interim leadership.
- Mardis, currently assistant chief of the Greensboro Police Department, brings 24 years of law enforcement experience in patrol operations, narcotics, criminal investigation and community engagement.
- The selection followed a process incorporating resident feedback and a city violence reduction summit establishing annual targets of 10% reduction in shootings and homicides.
- Mardis is the fourth woman to serve as Durham police chief and holds credentials including FBI National Academy graduation and Administrative Officers Management Program certification.
- Durham violent and property crime is down 5% year-over-year; the department employs 405 of 531 authorized sworn officers and 133 of 145 authorized civilian positions.
DURHAM, N.C. — The city of Durham appointed Stephanie Mardis as permanent police chief on August 12, following three months of interim leadership by Interim Chief Walter Tate. Mardis will assume command September 8, succeeding Chief Patrice Andrews, who retired in May.
Mardis currently serves as assistant chief of the Greensboro Police Department. City Manager Bo Ferguson characterized Mardis’ background as combining exceptional leadership, deep operational experience, and commitment to transparency and community partnership.
“She is prepared to lead our department forward at a pivotal moment for public safety in our city,” Ferguson stated.
Mardis holds a 24-year law enforcement career encompassing patrol operations, narcotics, criminal investigation and community engagement. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the University of Virginia, Liberty University, and Bennett College in Greensboro. Mardis completed North Carolina State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program.
The appointment concluded a selection process incorporating resident feedback and implementation of recommendations emerging from the city’s recent violence reduction summit. The summit identified strategic priorities including reducing shootings and homicides by 10% annually and redeploying trained violence interrupters to address firearms violence in Durham neighborhoods.
Mardis stated her commitment to principled leadership, transparency, and community partnerships. “Durham’s voice clearly shaped this process, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the trust, innovation, and collaboration that residents expect and deserve,” Mardis said.
Mardis noted her intention to strengthen relationships with community members and advance evidence-based strategies that improve safety, support officer wellness, and promote constitutional policing.
The police chief position reports to the city manager and oversees a departmental budget exceeding $93 million. The department currently staffs 405 of 531 authorized sworn officers and 133 of 145 authorized civilian positions, with the city acknowledging ongoing recruitment needs.
As of August 1, 116 people had been shot in Durham in 2026, with 13 fatal. The same date comparison for 2025 showed 102 people shot with 19 fatalities, indicating an increase in shooting incidents though homicides have declined. Overall violent and property crime is down approximately 5% year-over-year.
Ferguson expressed appreciation for Interim Chief Tate’s service during the transition period.