CARY , NC –Town Manager Bill Coleman has selected Patricia Holland Bazemore to serve as the community’s 18^th Chief of Police, effective today.  Bazemore, 45, was hired in 1986 as a Cary patrol officer by Chief John Boles.  She was the department’s first female sergeant, first female lieutenant, first female captain, and first female major.  She became Cary ’s first Deputy Chief on August 31, 2003 and has twice served as the Town’s Interim Police Chief.  She replaces Scott Cunningham, who left the position in December.

Regarding her appointment Coleman said, "Pat has served the department with distinction for over 20 years in a variety of capacities, and her performance in each of those positions has been exemplary.  She has the education, experience, and leadership capability to continue to keep our Police Department on the cutting edge in all areas of law enforcement and service to the community. She is well respected and trusted by the entire Cary community as well as local and state law enforcement and all segments of the justice system, and I and the Town Council have total confidence in her ability to be successful and in her commitment to Cary ."     

“Without a doubt, Cary has the finest police department in the state, and, having worked my way up through the ranks, I’m very proud to have been selected to lead the excellent men and woman who each day keep Cary the safest community in North Carolina,” Bazemore said.

Bazemore holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Wake Technical Community College , a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Campbell University , and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University .  She has participated in advanced law enforcement training programs with the FBI in Quantico , VA , with North Carolina State University in Raleigh , and with the School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill.

Bazemore is a current member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Association, and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. In addition, she is the Vice President of the North Carolina Police Executives Association.

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