Cary, N.C. — Assistant Cary Police Chief Patricia Holland Bazemore – who has twice served as the town's interim head of police – is being moved into the top position permanently, town officials announced on Friday.

Bazemore, 45, became the town's 18th chief of police, effective on Friday, Town Manager Bill Coleman said. She replaces Scott Cunningham, who resigned on Dec. 3.

Bazemore was a finalist for the job in 2005, when longtime chief Windy Hunter resigned. Thew town hired Cunningham that time.

"Pat has served the department with distinction for over 20 years in a variety of capacities, and her performance in each of those positions has been exemplary," Coleman said. "She has the education, experience, and leadership capability to continue to keep our police department on the cutting edge in all areas of law enforcement and service to the community.

"She is well respected and trusted by the entire Cary community, as well as local and state law enforcement and all segments of the justice system," Coleman continued. "(The town council and I) have total confidence in her ability to be successful and in her commitment to Cary."

Bazemore joined the force in 1986 and became the department's first female sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and deputy chief.

“Without a doubt, Cary has the finest police department in the state, and having worked my way up through the ranks, I’m very proud to have been selected to lead the excellent men and woman who each day keep Cary the safest community in North Carolina,” Bazemore said.

Bazemore holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Wake Technical Community College, a bachelor of applied science from Campbell University and a master's of business administration from Pfeiffer University. She has participated in advanced law-enforcement training programs with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, Va; North Carolina State University and the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bazemore is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Association and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. Additionally, she serves as vice president of the North Carolina Police Executives' Association.