The Raleigh Police Department is pleased to announce that Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., retired Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, will join the department as the new Deputy Chief for the Administrative Services Division.
Deputy Chief Buffaloe brings more than three decades of diverse and respected law enforcement experience. Most recently, he served as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS), where he oversaw more than 21,000 sworn and civilian employees, along with 13,000 soldiers and airmen of the North Carolina National Guard. His leadership spanned juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Office of Violence Prevention, Homeland Security, and Emergency Management—including the statewide response to Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Throughout his career, Deputy Chief Buffaloe has served in multiple senior leadership roles. He previously held dual responsibilities as interim city manager and director of the Elizabeth City Department of Public Safety and has served as a police chief, sheriff’s office leader, and correctional officer with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. In addition, he proudly served ten years in the North Carolina National Guard and is a past president of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.
“We are thrilled to welcome a longtime partner with an extensive background in law enforcement, a proven understanding of emergency management, and a strong commitment to community connections to enhance Raleigh’s law enforcement efforts,” said Raleigh City Manager Marchell Adams-David.
In his new role, Deputy Chief Buffaloe will oversee Professional Standards, the Administrative Services Division, and the Office of the Chief. His leadership will support and strengthen the work of the Field Operations Division, Special Operations and Detectives Divisions, and the newly launched Community Impact and Engagement Division.
“The Raleigh Police Department is dedicated to enhancing safety in the City of Raleigh and fostering a vibrant environment to live, work, and play,” said Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce. “Deputy Chief Buffaloe brings a wealth of experience to RPD that will benefit Raleigh residents and the entire community.”
Reflecting on this next chapter in his service, Deputy Chief Buffaloe shared his gratitude and enthusiasm: “Serving the people of North Carolina has been the honor of a lifetime. Under the leadership of Governor Stein and former Governor Cooper, I’ve grown, learned, and had the privilege of leading an extraordinary team of public servants whose dedication inspired me every day. As I retire from state service, my gratitude runs deep, and while one chapter closes, another begins. I’m thrilled to continue my commitment to public safety in a new capacity, joining the state’s premier police department in the country, the Raleigh Police Department, as Deputy Chief.”
Deputy Chief Buffaloe will officially begin his service with the Raleigh Police Department on January 5, 2026.