DURHAM, N.C. -- Durham County officially has a new sheriff.

  • Sheriff Clarence Birkhead was sworn into office Monday afternoon.
  • Birkhead is the county's first African-American sheriff.
  • His top priorities will be increasing transparency within the sheriff's office, keeping immigrant families united, and rebuilding trust between the people and law enforcement.

Sheriff Clarence Birkhead was sworn into office Monday afternoon. Birkhead, who previously served as chief of police for Duke University and the town of Hillsborough, is the county's first African-American sheriff.

"I will strive to always represent this office with integrity, honor, and impartiality," Birkhead said as he addressed the crowd inside Grey Stone Church. "I will always be mindful that this office belongs to the people, and I am a servant of the people."

Birkhead defeated the previous sheriff, Mike Andrews, in this year's primary election for sheriff. Andrews had been sheriff since 2012.

Birkhead says his top priorities will be increasing transparency within the sheriff's office, keeping immigrant families united, and rebuilding trust between the people and law enforcement.

"Who knows better about what's going on in the community than the people," said Birkhead. "It's my obligation and my responsibility to listen to you so we can make sure we can do what you need across this great county."