Chief of CMPD Estella Patterson & Russ Ferguson, US Attorney, Western District of NC

Jenn interviews Estella Patterson, Chief of CMPD & Russ Ferguson, US Attorney, Western District of NC. They the Chief’s return to Charlotte after a 4-year change to Raleigh, NC, and the accomplishments and challenges of CMPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in fighting crime, engaging in the community and advocating for the citizens of Charlotte.

Chief  Patterson was appointed as chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) on December 1, 2025. She returns to Charlotte after serving 25 years with CMPD and 3 ½ years with the Raleigh Police Department. Chief Patterson’s career reflects her passion and commitment to public service. Her priorities lie in reducing violent crime and disorder, enhancing community engagement and collaboration and improving employee morale and wellness.

Chief Patterson began her law-enforcement career in 1996 as a member of the 123rd recruit class of CMPD. Over the next 25 years, she served in a variety of roles from academy trainer to patrol sergeant, division commander, recruitment commander, and Internal Affairs commander. She was promoted to deputy chief of police in 2019 and assigned over the Administrative Services Group and later the Patrol Services Group.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District and represents the United States in all civil and criminal litigation. Mr. Ferguson leads an office of nearly 100 federal prosecutors and support personnel, serving 32 counties across western North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the largest Native American community in the eastern United States.