Durham Police Chief shares biggest accomplishments, regrets ahead of May retirement: 'It's time'

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews never set out to work in law enforcement. She started her career with the Durham Police Department in the early 90's at just 22 years old.

Her starting salary was $23,000 and she had no intention of doing this job long-term.

"I needed a job. At that time, I was a single mom. Very young. I needed some stability," said Chief Andrews.

Andrews, 52, reflected on her time with the department as she has just four months left until retirement. After a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement, she is ready to turn in her badge.

"It's time. I am ready to just enjoy my life," said Chief Andrews.

Her first police badge sits on her desk as a reminder of how far she's come. She told ABC11 her love for the job grew over the years as she worked in different divisions and held a variety of roles, including being an investigator.

"It allowed me to see how investigators work in different cases like homicide, violent crime, and other violent crime cases," she said.

The Chapel Hill native left the department in 2016 to become police chief in Morrisville. She returned to Durham as the Bull City's top cop in November of 2021, where her priorities quickly became recruitment and retention, morale and improving relationships with communities of color.

She called them a work in progress, but a major team accomplishment under her leadership.

According to Andrews, DPD staff has increased by four percent and there are 33 officers in the police academy currently.

With accomplishments come regret

"My biggest regret is I don't feel I was present for my officers and my staff enough. I don't feel I was present enough for our community," she said. "That was often at the detriment of my personal life."

Andrews said working in a male-dominated industry has not always been easy, but she's watched the culture of the police department change as men recognized that women can do the work too.

"I have the right and also the resume to be here and have worked very hard. Nothing has been given to me," she said.

Chief Andrews only has a few more months to call her office hers. There are photos and other pieces of her journey there, including a wall of patches she's collected. While she calls retirement bittersweet, she won't rule out continued public service with the possibility of teaching a leadership course at her alma mater, North Carolina Central University.

"I am still trying to figure out what is next. I can tell you what isn't next. I am not putting on another polyester blend uniform," she laughed.

Chief Andrews's last day on the job is May 1, 2026. In retirement, she is hoping to spend more time with her daughter and son. She graciously thanked the Durham community for supporting her over the years.