919 | PERSONALITY PROFILE
A Positive, Progressive Evolution New Morrisville Police Chief Sees Opportunities for the Community
Photos by Catherine Davis of SD Portraits
by G. CLEVELAND KILGORE Special to 919 Magazine
“The rest, as they say, is history,” said Patrice Andrews, Morrisville Police Department’s new Chief – describing a day many years ago when she saw a newspaper advertisement seeking a police officer in Durham – while working as a receptionist at a Durham veterinary clinic. “I knew that I needed to find a career that offered a stable salary and benefits,” said the then-young mother of a two-year-old daughter. “And, at that time, $23,000 was very appealing to me. I applied and was accepted into the academy.” Fast-forward to 2016 and Andrews – now a married mother of four in a blended family – is the new Town of Morrisville Chief of Police, officially joining the deparment in June. 76
919 Magazine
Morrisville Police Department NUMBER OF OFFICERS: CHIEF: PREVIOUS CHIEF: KEY STAFF: DEPARTMENT ADDRESS: WEBSITE: EMERGENCY PHONE: NON-EMERGENCY PHONE:
36 (including 1 non-sworn position) Patrice V. Andrews Ira Jones (retired) Capt. Felecia Sykes (former Interim Chief of Police) 260-C Town Hall Drive, Morrisville townofmorrisville.org 911 919-463-1600
“As a native of Chapel Hill, I can appreciate Morrisville’s parallel attributes,” Andrews said. “I felt that the Town of Morrisville would offer valuable opportunities for my family. In addition, the Morrisville Police Department is at a pivotal stage where www.919Magazine.com
the opportunity for growth through restructuring is tremendously important.” Andrews replaces Ira Jones, 50, who retired after 25 years in law enforcement, including 21 years with the Morrisville Police Department – the SUMMER 2016