Roberto E. Bryan Jr. named new chief to lead the Fayetteville Police Department: 'Deeply honored'
FAYETTEVILLE. N.C. (WTVD) -- Who will lead the department that protects and serves the city of Fayetteville?
Friday, the city held a news conference and announced Roberto E. Bryan Jr. as the next chief for the Fayetteville Police Department. Bryan is a 30-year law-enforcement veteran and current Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Police at Fayetteville State University, the city says.
He will officially take command on Monday, July 7.
The announcement comes two months after Chief Kem Braden retired on March 31. Braden, a Fayetteville native, announced his retirement plans in December. Braden served as chief for a little more than two years but had been with the department for nearly 30 years.
"The engagement with the students, faculty and staff, that's a huge part that we have a very important role in terms of police and public safety," Bryan said. "That community there, we engage with them daily, and I think I can transcend that back here to the city. And so that's how I will definitely utilize that skillset from there on within here in the city and to the community."
According to a release from Fayetteville, Bryan has led the Fayetteville State University Police & Public Safety since 2022. Before that, he was a major over the Fayetteville Police Department's Specialized Services Bureau from 2019 to 2022. He also had a 22-year career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, where he held multiple command assignments.
"I am deeply honored to be appointed as the Chief of Police for the City of Fayetteville. With over 30 years of service across city, state, and federal law enforcement, this moment represents both a professional milestone and a personal homecoming," said Bryan. "City policing has always been the foundation of my career, a place where meaningful connections are made and real impact begins."
Bryan says his top priorities will be addressing the city's violent crime and staffing challenges. Out of 585 full-time positions, the city says there are still 71 vacancies. Talking to reporters, Bryan also touched on how he will tackle youth violence.
Chief Bryan will have to tackle some of the same issues of youth and gun violence that have plagued the city for years.
"That approach would be collaborating with the many nonprofit organizations that are in the community and leveraging them to partner and engage in the youth to make sure they don't get into the areas, you know, get into trouble that we've been seeing in the past."
Just this week, the Fayetteville City Council voted to implement a yearlong curfew for those 16 and younger.
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Bryan holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Fayetteville State University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and an Army veteran.
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