Governor Josh Stein has announced that Jeffrey Smythe will become the new Secretary of Public Safety for North Carolina, succeeding Eddie Buffaloe, who is set to retire from his current role at the end of December. Smythe’s appointment comes after a career that includes serving as Burlington’s Chief of Police and most recently as Director of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division.
“I am excited to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Smythe as the new Secretary of Public Safety,” said Governor Josh Stein. “With his extensive record in public safety as the former police chief in Burlington and the current director of the Criminal Justice Standards Division at the Department of Justice, Jeff is the right person for the job., “I’ve seen firsthand what a great leader and dedicated public servant Jeff is, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him to create a safer North Carolina because that work always continues.”
Smythe was appointed Director of the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division by then-Attorney General Stein in August 2021. During his time as Burlington’s Police Chief, he focused on officer wellness programs, de-escalation training, implicit bias education, and behavioral health resources. Smythe began his law enforcement career with Arizona State University Police Department in Tempe. He holds degrees from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, along with executive leadership credentials from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.
“Secretary Buffaloe is leaving big shoes to fill, and I’m ready to build on his work to keep people safe across North Carolina,” said Jeffrey Smythe. “I’ll work closely with Governor Stein and law enforcement to make sure they have the training and resources they need as we partner to keep our neighbors safe from the mountains to the coast.”
Eddie Buffaloe will leave his position on December 31 before taking up a new post as Deputy Chief for Administrative Services with Raleigh Police Department starting January 1. On this transition, Governor Stein stated: “Eddie Buffaloe has dedicated his career to keeping North Carolinians safe. As Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Advisor, he has led our state through moments of tragedy and disaster and kept us fixed on our mission of building safer communities. I thank Secretary Buffaloe for his good counsel to me and his service to the state of North Carolina, and I wish him continued success in his next chapter with the Raleigh Police Department.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Eddie Buffaloe commented: “Serving the people of North Carolina as Secretary of Public Safety has been the honor of a lifetime, and I remain grateful for my team, my fellow Cabinet secretaries, and the leadership of Governor Cooper and Governor Stein,” said Secretary of Public Safety Eddie Buffaloe. “Jeff Smythe has done great work within the Justice Department and the City of Burlington, and I look forward to seeing his work keeping North Carolinians safe.”
