CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- The Charlotte area’s largest police force has a new top cop. Estella Patterson was named as the Chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Friday afternoon.

Patterson will head CMPD, after four years leading Raleigh’s department. Prior to that, she spent 25 years with CMPD, reaching the rank of Deputy Chief over patrol services.

She’ll be the department’s first female chief.

“She is consistent. She’s compassionate and caring. She has confidence. I believe that she has the understanding of communication and why it’s important to have transparent communication,” said Rev. Corine Mack, president of Charlotte’s NAACP Chapter.

In a release from the city, Patterson was commended for her ability to reduce vacancies in Raleigh and clear homicide c

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