DURHAM, N.C. (WPTF) – An assistant police chief in Greensboro has been named as Durham’s next police chief.
The City of Durham announced Monday (Aug. 10) the selection of Stephanie Mardis, currently assistant chief in the Greensboro Police Department, as the next Durham chief of police.
In a release, city officials note atht Mardis brings more than 24 years of progressive law enforcement experience and a strong record of principled leadership, operational excellence, and community engagement.
Her background includes leadership roles in patrol operations, narcotics investigations, tactical operations, criminal investigations, district command, professional standards, resource management, and executive administration. She has led complex operations while fostering accountability, ethical decision-making, community partnerships, and officer development.
In Greensboro, she developed innovative programs that strengthened investigative performance, expanded support for families affected by homicide, and reinforced transparency across the department. Her work includes founding the Police and Community Alliance for Peace Forum, creating Greensboro’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Academy and Advanced CID Academy for detectives, and designing the department’s first body‑worn camera audit and compliance system — an early statewide model for accountability and public trust.
Mardis is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, N.C. State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program, and Leadership Greensboro. She also received her criminal justice education certification from the University of Virginia, her master’s in public administration/public policy from Liberty University, and her bachelor’s from Bennett College. She serves as a commissioner on the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and holds leadership roles with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
City Manager Bo Ferguson said the selection reflects Durham’s commitment to a community‑shaped, evidence‑driven, and transparent process.
“Durham residents helped define the priorities for this search from the very beginning,” Ferguson said. “Chief Mardis demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep operational experience, and a clear dedication to transparency and community partnership. She is prepared to lead our department forward at a pivotal moment for public safety in our city. Durham’s violence reduction strategy calls for focused support and accountability, strengthened community‑based outreach, place‑based partnerships in areas where violence concentrates, and trauma‑informed approaches at every level. She has demonstrated the leadership, empathy, and operational experience necessary to implement these evidence‑based strategies while keeping community voices at the center of our work.”
A representative of the law enforcement community who participated in the assessment center also voiced strong support for Mardis’ selection.
“It was clear throughout the assessment process that Stephanie Mardis is a strong and thoughtful leader who understands both the challenges and the opportunities facing modern policing. Her experience, integrity, and commitment to community partnership stood out from the very beginning,” said Robert Gaddy, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Durham County Lodge 2. “I was impressed by her ability to connect with people, ask the right questions, and demonstrate a genuine respect for officers and the work we do. I believe she will be an excellent chief for Durham, and I look forward to supporting her as we continue serving our community.”
Mardis said she is honored to serve the Durham community in this new role.
“I am deeply honored to serve the residents of Durham as the next chief of police,” Mardis said. “Throughout my career, I have been committed to principled leadership, transparency, and strong community partnerships — values that align closely with Durham’s vision for public safety. 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. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Durham Police Department, strengthening relationships across the community, and advancing evidence‑based strategies that improve safety, support officer wellness, and honor the City’s commitment to constitutional policing. I also welcome the opportunity to partner with residents, community organizations, and public safety colleagues to advance Durham’s violence reduction strategy and ensure our efforts are trauma‑informed, evidence‑based, and rooted in the needs of those most affected by violence.”
Her arrival comes as Durham begins implementing new violence reduction strategies developed through the recent Summit on Saving Lives, which aims to reduce shootings and homicides by 10% each year. Mardis will lead the department’s role in supporting focused deterrence, strengthened street outreach, trauma‑informed approaches, and place‑based partnerships in neighborhoods most affected by violence.
Ferguson also expressed gratitude to Interim Chief Walter Tate, who has led the Durham Police Department since May 2026 following the retirement of former Chief Patrice Andrews.
“I want to share my sincere appreciation for Deputy Chief Tate, whose steady leadership and deep commitment to our community have guided the department through this transition,” Ferguson said. “His professionalism, decades of experience, and strong support for officers and residents alike have ensured stability and continuity during an important search process. Durham is fortunate to have benefited from his service, and Chief Mardis will inherit a well‑led, highly capable department thanks to his work.”
Mardis will begin her service with the Durham Police Department on September 8. Public engagement opportunities will follow her arrival, including participation in National Night Out on October 6 and community meet‑and‑greet events in the coming months.