Cary’s Police Chief Retires After 29 Years

Editor’s Note: CaryCitizen received this information from a Town of Cary press release.

Cary, NC — Patricia Bazemore, Cary’s Police Chief, is hanging up her Town of Cary badge on July 31, 2015 after serving the Cary community for 29 years.

29 Years of Service

Patricia Bazemore was hired in 1986 as a Cary patrol officer and was promoted to chief in 2008. She continued to move up in rank, serving as the department’s first female lieutenant, female captain, female major and female deputy chief. Her last day of work will be July 31, 2015.

Town Manager Ben Shivar said:

Pat has been exemplary, as she’s helped guide us through some of Cary’s toughest and most tragic situations, and I am personally grateful for the professional and thoughtful ways she’s served. Cary is frequently ranked as one of the safest places in the nation, and Pat deserves much of the credit for this accolade.

In 1986, when Bazemore joined the Town of Cary, Cary’s population was about 32,000 people, and the police department had about 31 staff members. Today, Cary has over 153,000 citizens and a nationally accredited, gold standard police department with over 230 staff members.

Bazemore’s Contributions

Under Bazemore’s leadership, Cary spend consecutive years as the safest community in the southeast and topped the rankings for safest city in the country based on population.

Bazemore is a current member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Association, the North Carolina Chiefs of Police and the North Carolina Police Executives Association.

“Whether patrol officer or chief, serving has always meant putting the community first,” said Bazemore. “An entire community’s long-term safety doesn’t come down to the efforts of one person but, rather, to the coordinated, consistent work of hundreds of dedicated women and men throughout Town Hall who work tirelessly every day for others.”

In her retirement, Bazemore plans to focus on her family, hike and travel and volunteer in the community. An active search for Cary’s next chief is underway, and Shivar will announce Bazemore’s successor later this summer.

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Story and photo from the Town of Cary.