Raleigh Selects 1st Black Woman As Police Chief
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Raleigh interim police chief Cassandra Deck-Brown is the choice to assume the role on a permanent basis.
City Manager Russell Allen announced Thursday that Deck-Brown will become chief effective Friday. She is the first African-American woman to lead the department, and the first chief chosen from within the department since 1994, when her brother in-law, Mitchell Brown, was promoted to chief.
Deck-Brown, who was picked over two other candidates, is a 25-year department veteran who will oversee 777 officers. She won the endorsement of the Raleigh Police Protective Association, which represents nearly 600 police officers.
Deck-Brown joined the department in 1987. She rose through the ranks and was promoted to deputy chief in June 2011. She took over in the interim role upon Chief Harry Dolan's retirement last Oct. 1.
