By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
The Raleigh Police Department has announced that Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., retired Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), will join the agency as Deputy Chief of the Administrative Services Division beginning January 5, 2026.
Buffaloe brings more than three decades of law enforcement, public safety, and administrative experience to Raleigh. As state public safety secretary, he oversaw more than 21,000 sworn and civilian employees as well as 13,000 soldiers and airmen of the North Carolina National Guard. His oversight included juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Office of Violence Prevention, Homeland Security, and Emergency Management, where he worked to guide statewide responses to major events, including Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Buffaloe’s previous leadership roles span city, county, and state government. He has served as interim city manager and director of the Elizabeth City Department of Public Safety, police chief, sheriff’s office leader, and correctional officer with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. He is a former president of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, a ten-year veteran of the North Carolina National Guard, and a law enforcement instructor for the North Carolina Training and Standards Commission.
He was appointed NCDPS secretary in 2021 by then-Governor Roy Cooper. During his tenure, the department faced scrutiny, including a 2024 audit citing insufficient procedures to ensure proper use of Hurricane Florence recovery funds and ongoing issues with the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency.
The audit found that poor budgeting practices, unreliable data systems, and weak oversight slowed the state’s efforts to help homeowners rebuild after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, leaving some families in temporary housing for years. NCORR’s Homeowner Recovery Program was the main culprit, resulting in a $297 million state bailout to sustain operations.
In his new role in Raleigh, Buffaloe will oversee Professional Standards, the Administrative Services Division, and the Office of the Chief. His role will also support and strengthen the Field Operations Division, Special Operations and Detectives Divisions, and the city’s newly launched Community Impact and Engagement Division.
“We are thrilled to welcome a longtime partner with an extensive background in law enforcement, a proven understanding of emergency management, and a strong commitment to community connections,” City Manager Marchell Adams-David said.
Police Chief Rico Boyce noted that Buffaloe’s “wealth of experience” will benefit residents citywide.
Buffaloe holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Mount Olive and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Grand Canyon University, along with numerous law enforcement and public safety certifications. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the criminal justice departments at North Carolina Wesleyan College and the College of the Albemarle.
“As I retire from state service, my gratitude runs deep, and while one chapter closes, another begins,” Buffaloe said. “I’m thrilled to continue my commitment to public safety in a new capacity, joining the Raleigh Police Department as Deputy Chief.”
