03/27/2026
Woman On Assignment
As we commemorate Women's History month, we spotlight one of our esteemed ARChitects, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Stella Patterson, who made history by becoming the first female Chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in December 2025.
With over 25 years of experience, Chief Patterson has dedicated her career to making a meaningful impact in her community. She announced her mission to reduce violent crime, enhance community relations, support officer wellness, and address staffing shortages as Police Chief.
She began her law enforcement career with CMPD in 1996 as a member of the recruiting class and rose through the ranks, serving as patrol officer, instructor, and deputy chief. Notably, Chief Patterson previously served as Raleigh Police Chief, where she successfully improved recruitment, boosted employee morale, and reduced violent crime, achieving a 100% homicide clearance rate in 2024.
Her distinguished military service includes combat tours in Kosovo and Iraq as an Army Reserve Captain, earning her two Army Commendation Medals for meritorious service. Chief Patterson is also an alumna of the FBI National Academy at Quantico.
Today, we honor Chief Stella Patterson as a trailblazing woman who continues to make a lasting impact in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a Woman On Assignment! Stella Patterson
