DURHAM, N.C. — Patrice V. Andrews will be the next police chief for the city of Durham, North Carolina officials announced Monday.

Andrews will join the Durham Police Department on November 1. She has served as the police chief for the Town of Morrisville since 2016 and previously served in the Durham Police Department for nearly 20 years.

“Thank you for selecting me to be the next police chief for the city of Durham Police Department,” Andrews said to Durham City Manager Wanda Page during the announcement. “This is a full-circle moment for me."

As police chief, Andrews says she plans to boost morale within the police department and reignite the community relationship.

“As your chief, I am committed to working collaboratively with the city of Durham management team, members of the Durham Police Department and the entire Durham community to build upon established successes and identify innovative strategies to reduce violent crime,” Andrews said.

A national search firm began looking for the right candidate in the spring after then police chief C.J. Davis announced she accepted a position as Memphis police chief.