The Town of Chapel Hill has officially selected its next chief of police — and it’s a familiar face to many in the community.

The police department shared on Friday that Assistant Chief Celisa Lehew will become Chapel Hill’s ninth Police Chief next year, moving into the role after the current chief, Chris Blue, retires at the end of December.

“I am proud to lead the Guardians of the Hill in a community that is supportive of a progressive, forward-thinking department,” said Lehew in a release about her selection. “We have a very strong foundation of community policing, and our officers are at the heart of that. As Chief, I will support and invest in our team, so we can give our best to our community.”

Lehew has served with the Chapel Hill Police Department since 2004, initially beginning as a patrol officer and subsequently serving in leadership roles for each of the department’s divisions. She will officially become the town’s first female police chief on January 1, 2023.

Chapel Hill Town Manager Maurice Jones said Lehew’s selection comes after a nationwide search over the last few months.

“I am thrilled to be able to select one of our own to build on the lasting legacy of Chief Blue and the officers who have served with him,” he said. “Assistant Chief Lehew has been not only a leader in this organization but a leader in our community on many of the critical issues related to improving community safety for all. Through a rigorous process, which included a deep and talented pool of candidates, she presented us with a vision that continues the vital work that has made the Chapel Hill Police Department a leading organization locally, regionally, and nationally.”

Blue, who announced his plans to retire in June, followed a similar path through the Chapel Hill Police Department as his assistant chief. Sworn in as a patrol officer in 1997, he was appointed as chief in 2010. Part of his legacy is cooperation with community partners and organizations, something Lehew says she is proud of and plans to maintain.

“I will continue to look inward to our officers and professional staff and outward to our community to help us make thoughtful decisions that will contribute to the health and well-being of everyone in our community,” she said.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue and Assistant Police Chief Celisa Lehew speak with a community member at an Advisory Board Breakfast in 2018. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)

To read the full release from the Town of Chapel Hill, visit the local government’s website.

Featured Photo via Town of Chapel Hill

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