Page 3 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper June & July 2025 Edition

The Fayetteville Press June/July 2025 Edition
City of Fayetteville names next chief of police
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — City Manager Douglas J.
Hewett today announced the appointment of Roberto E.
Bryan Jr. as the next chief of the Fayetteville Police
Department. Bryan, a 30-year law-enforcement veteran
and current Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Po-
lice at Fayetteville State University, will assume com-
mand on July 7.
Bryan succeeds Chief Kemberle Braden, who re-
tired after nearly three decades of service to the City of
Fayetteville.
“Chief-select Bryan has deep roots in Fayetteville
and a proven record of building community trust while
driving crime-reduction strategies,” Hewett said. “His
combination of federal, municipal and campus-policing
experience makes him uniquely qualified to guide the
department’s next chapter.”
Bryan joined Fayetteville State University Police &
Public Safety in 2022 after serving as a major over the
Fayetteville Police Department’s Specialized Services
Bureau from 2019 to 2022 and completing a 22-year
career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
where he held multiple command assignments.
At Fayetteville State University, Bryan swiftly ad-
vanced public-safety capabilities by successfully nego-
tiating market-rate pay increases for non-sworn offic-
ers and standing up both explosive-detection and nar-
cotics/tracking K-9 units. He also introduced an un-
manned-aircraft program staffed by six FAA-certified
pilots, lifting officer staffing from 57.9 percent to 95
percent in just 30 months. To tie these enhancements
together, he drafted a Real-Time Crime Center blueprint
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that positions drones as first-responders, giving dis-
patchers and field units instant aerial intelligence dur-
ing critical incidents.
“His proven record of building community trust
while embracing innovative crime-reduction strategies
makes him the right leader to guide our department,
and our residents, into the next chapter of public
safety,” added Hewett.
Bryan holds a Master of Science in Criminal Jus-
tice from Fayetteville State University and a Bachelor
of Science in Criminal Justice from East Carolina
University. He is a graduate of the Senior Management
Institute for Police and an Army veteran.
"I am deeply honored to be appointed as the Chief
of Police for the City of Fayetteville. With over 30
years of service across city, state, and federal law en-
forcement, this moment represents both a professional
milestone and a personal homecoming,” said Bryan.
“City policing has always been the foundation of my
career, a place where meaningful connections are made
and real impact begins.”
Bryan will meet with stakeholders in each patrol
district during a series of community conversations
and outreach events scheduled ahead of his swearing-
in. Details will be posted on city social-media chan-
Fayetteville Police nels.
Chief “As I conclude my law enforcement journey where
it all started, I am committed to leading with integrity,
Roberto E. Bryan Jr. fostering trust, and working collaboratively to enhance
public safety and improve the quality of life for all who
call Fayetteville home," added Bryan.
Proud to
commemorate
Juneteenth.
This month, we honor this important
event. And at Duke Energy Progress, we
are committed to promoting diversity,
equity and inclusion in all we do.
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