Davis named new Durham police chief
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Durham City Manager Tom Bonfield said Tuesday he has chosen Cerelyn "CJ" Davis as Durham's new police chief.
Davis currently serves as Deputy Chief of the City of Atlanta Police Department. She will start her new job June 6.
"Deputy Chief Davis, during the course of her 30-year career, has demonstrated a broad array of skills and experience that will serve Durham well at this time. As we know, this is an extremely challenging time for policing, not only in Durham, but also throughout the country," said Bonfield.
The other semifinalist, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Major Mike Smathers, told WSOC-TV on Monday that he had been told he didn't get the job.
The search for a new chief began when Chief Jose Lopez retired Dec. 31. It included community meetings where the candidates took questions from the public.
"I am both appreciative and humbled to have been selected as the City of Durham's new police chief. I enthusiastically look forward to working with the men and women of the Durham Police Department, to further build a culture of trust and collaboration in partnership with the citizens we serve," Davis said.
