Chapel Hill native named town's police chief

Curran, who has served as Chapel Hill's police chief for three years, retires next month.

"I look forward to continuing the work started by Chief Brian Curran to strengthen our agency's community policing efforts," Blue said in a statement. "The Chapel Hill Police Department is made up of outstanding men and women, and I am excited to lead them as we continue this important work."

Blue is a 13-year veteran of the Chapel Hill Police Department and has previously served as captain, lieutenant, sergeant, patrol officer and crime prevention officer in the community services unit. As assistant chief, he was responsible for preparing the department's $12 million annual operating budget and oversaw the management of Homegrown Halloween and critical incident response.

"I have selected the very best police chief for this community," Town Manager Roger Stancil said in a statement, noting that Blue finished second to Curran in 2007 in Chapel Hill's nationwide search for a police chief. "He will become a key part of improving the quality of life and making Chapel Hill a better place to live for all."

A native of Chapel Hill, Blue has a bachelor's degree in radio, television and motion pictures from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's degree in public administration from North Carolina State University. He is president of the North Carolina Police Executives Association.