Stephanie Mardis is Durham’s 32nd police chief, stepping into a demanding role in a vibrant, evolving city with a storied history but also significant public safety challenges.
Mardis, who spent more than 24 years with the Greensboro Police Department, said reducing violence will be one of her top priorities. Recent numbers show Durham’s homicide rate is roughly double the state and national rates. In 2026, shootings and the number of people shot are also up from last year. So far, 121 people have been shot and 15 have been killed.
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Violent crime (homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) increased by 4.6% during the 1st quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Property crime (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) decreased by 6.1% compared to the same time frame.
Earlier this month, a working group unveiled recommendations to city and county leaders following Durham’s Violence Reduction Summit.
During Mardis’ time in Greensboro, the city launched GSO Peace on Purpose, an initiative that connected young people with mentoring programs, mental health services, after-school activities and summer programs. Greensboro also launched a comprehensive community safety plan in 2025.
Durham has pursued similar alternatives to traditional policing. The Durham Community Safety Department launched H.E.A.R.T. — Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams — in June 2022.
“I think the initiatives have married each other in Greensboro and Durham,” Mardis said. “One important fact I think we would be remiss if we didn’t take advantage of is just getting input from the youth. They are the best resources to tackle that problem with youth violence and teen takeovers and the buzzwords we’ve been hearing across the nation.”
Another issue Mardis will face early in her tenure is employee conduct. She said maintaining the department’s standards will require transparency and accountability.
Wednesday's interview came days after Durham Assistant Police Chief Raul Garcia was cited for hit-and-run on N.C. 540 in Wake County. Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams told WRAL that Garcia was placed on paid administrative leave.
Mardis said she would take a “hard look” at the situation.
“What I’ll say is that accountability matters,” she told WRAL. “I hold myself accountable, and in this agency we will hold our staff accountable. We’ll also hold the community accountable. Accountability is a shared experience.”
Mardis was announced Monday as Durham’s next police chief. She will take over Sept. 8 and said she expects to maintain an open dialogue with everyone from city leaders to residents to build strong relationships.
“Being really responsive to the concerns of the community, and meeting those expectations,” she said. “Not just reducing crime, but being thoughtful about it, and where we’re building trust and building those bridges and bolstering connections.”
“It’s amazing work that’s already been done,” Mardis said. “I’m not coming with the magic solution; I’m joining a team that’s already on its way to realizing that we have to pull our resources together to improve the lives of the residents in Durham.”
After Patrice Andrews retired on May 1, the city asked residents for input in selecting the next chief. Andrews had served as chief since 2021 and spent a combined 25 years with the department.
Staffing will also be a significant concern. As of Dec. 31, 2025, the department had filled 405 of its 531 sworn positions, or 76.3%.
“I really just want to analyze what we’re doing that’s working, and find our blind spots or our barriers that are preventing us from attaining the actual goal of filling the seats in the academy,” Mardis said. “That may be streamlining the process. This agency has a lot to offer. It’s a premier agency for the nation. ... I think that we are doing a great job, but there are always ways we can improve.”