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Former
officers with the Durham Police Department say the hiring of Patrice Andrews is what is needed to
improve morale within the troubled department.
One of the former officers interviewed by
Rev-elution noted a message on the Police Department’s Facebook page, posted on
October 21.
“Are you aware that Interstate 85 persistently
remains in the top 10 crash locations in Durham? Perhaps earlier this week you
saw DPD’s Traffic and Crash Team (TACT) and Motor Unit, along with Ofc. J.
Harris of Uniform Patrol as they conducted speed enforcement along I-85 North
and South between E. Club Boulevard and Cole Mill Road. The highest recorded
speed was 97 mph in a 60-mph zone! Officers made 15 vehicle stops.”
A simple message, like so many others on the
page. It was the second comment posted minutes later that caught the attention
of members of the police department.
“Proud of the work that you all are doing to
keep our roads safe! See you soon!” Patrice Andrews, the newly appointed chief of
police, is making a statement. I see you. I affirm you. I look forward to
working with you.
It’s that level of familiarity that resonates with many
members of the police department. Many say they know and trust the woman who is
coming back home after a brief stay not far away.
Andrews, who served five years as the Town of
Morrisville Police Chief, replaces C. J. Davis who left Durham to head the
Memphis, TN police department. Andrews started her career with the Durham
Police Department as a patrol officer in 1997. She’s remembered for advancing
up the ranks to become district commander and a captain supervising the Special
Victims, Homicide, Domestic Violence, and Fraud units.
Rev-elution interviewed officers who worked with
Andrews before she left Durham in 2016. The officers say her leadership style
with the rank and file is a better match than Davis, who came to Durham from
Atlanta, GA.
“Patrice is more willing to listen to the
opinions of others,” a retired officer said on the condition of anonymity. “She
takes what others think before making a decision.”
The retired officer noted tension within the
police department caused by understaffing and an unwillingness to consider
alternatives to maximize current staffing needs.
“Patrice is more of a community person,” another
former officer said when questioned about Andrews. “She’s the type of leader
who will be out in the community with the people. She will build relationships
with everybody.”
A retired officer compared Andrews to former
Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers, who served as chief of police from
2003-2007. After serving on the force for more than 32 years, Chalmers
continued efforts to impact the root causes of crime with Men of Vision, a
nonprofit he started while serving as police chief.
“She’s like Chalmers. They both care for the
community and know the city,” the former officer said. “She’s got that same
drive to build programs that make a difference.”
Rev-elution spoke with residents who desired a
more transparent process. They imagined a series of community forums with
finalist like when Davis was under consideration to become Durham’s police
chief. There were four finalists following a national search. Durham City
Manager Wanda Page made the decision with the help of nine diverse members of Durham’s
community.
In the end, deep connections to Durham made the
difference.
"I am confident that Chief Andrews is the
right leader for Durham, where she spent most of her law enforcement
career," City Manager Wanda Page said in a statement. "I am happy to
welcome her back to Durham, where she also has deep family roots and developed
lasting relationships in the community while working and living here."
Andrews faces numerous challenges as Durham
Chief of Police. She enters a political climate with calls to defund the police.
Homicides are rising and increasing disparities complicate strategies to strike
the roots of crime. The current police force is witnessing retirements and the
exodus of officers to other higher paying, safer municipalities.
According to past
members of the police department, there is reason to be excited about Andrews’
return to Durham.
