Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden announced he will retire at the end of March, city officials confirmed Tuesday.
Braden, who had been the police chief since January 2023, delivered the news in a memo to department staff on Monday. His retirement will mark the end of a 29-year career with the Fayetteville Police Department, during which he progressed through the ranks from patrol officer to assistant chief before he was appointed as chief.
Braden did not cite one particular reason for his departure, but emphasized the toll serving has exacted on his personal life.
“My service has not come without great sacrifice on the part of my family and personal goals,” Braden said in the memo. “If done right, leadership takes a toll on you mentally, physically and emotionally. I have come to realize that time and opportunity are not as abundant in my life as they once were. All stories must have a beginning and an end.
“As the Chief of Police, I have prayed for WISDOM to know when my time is over, COURAGE to face new and unfamiliar challenges and DIGNITY to walk away with my head held high. I am confident that my time is now.”
Under Braden’s leadership, crime has trended down, declining by 8% in 2023. Violent crime is expected to reach the lowest rate in a decade by the end of the year. Braden cited crime reduction as one of his key achievements during his tenure.
“As the Police Chief, I have focused the past two years of my administration on personal accountability, crime mitigation, succession planning & recruitment, which have poised the department for a successful transition in the months to come,” Braden wrote in the memo. “We have achieved two consecutive years of crime reduction, improved officer morale, promoted key positions in leadership, and structured a pay plan that will help recruit & retain quality police officers for the future.
“I am committed to working diligently during my remaining time to ensure a smooth transition, assist in any way possible with finding a suitable replacement, transferring knowledge, and completing outstanding tasks.”
Contact Evey Weisblat at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608. This story was made possible by donations from readers like you to CityView News Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to an informed democracy in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
