Her name is Teresa Chambers. She's from Prince George's County Maryland,and brings more than 20 years of experience to Durham. Chambers startsTuesday, January 20th.
WRAL spoke with Chambers by phone Friday night. She says she's lookingforward to working with the department and the community. Chambers also aims to make the Durham PD one of the best in the country.
The 40-year-old police major will be the first female police chief of alarge North Carolina city. Chambers believes the challenges she will facewill be no different than those she has already experience working her wayup through the ranks.
Chambers' career with the Prince George's County Police Department beganin 1976, when she began as a Cadet. Over the following 23 years, sheworked her way up to Major. During that time, Chambers earned 151 lettersof commendation and appreciation.
City Manager Ewell says the decision to hire Chambers came down to thefact that Durham was a better fit for her than for her competitor RobertWhite. In Maryland, Chambers work in a diverse police district "providedvaluable experience to tackle Durham's needs," Ewell explained.
Ewell went on to say that Chambers' experience included work withAfrican-Americans, Hispanics, whites and Asians. Thanks to herdedication, crime in her district was significantly reduced despite thetouch issues of race and class that come along with diverse communities.
In addition, Chambers brings with her an impressive knowledge of usingtechnology in law enforcement.
Chambers earned her bachelor's degree in law enforcement from theUniversity of Maryland and her master's degree in applied behavioralscience from John Hopkins University.
When Chambers arrives in Durham, she plans to meet with the Durham PoliceDepartment staff and Durham residents to "get the widest possible input asseen by the police and the community."
Chambers' appointment comes 14 months after former Chief Jackie McNeillrelinquished his administrative duties amid rising crime, ongoinglitigation and staffing shortages.
From Staff and Wire Reports
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