NEWS

Police Chief Penny Dunn is retiring at the end of the month.

The Town of Davidson invites the community to a reception honoring Police Chief Penny Dunn on Monday, January 30, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House (208 Concord Road, Davidson). Chief Dunn has served the town for over five years and has been in the field of law enforcement for over 37 years. The reception will be an opportunity to thank her for her service and to wish her well as she retires on January 31, 2023.

Chief Dunn came to the Town of Davidson after serving as an Assistant Chief of the San Marcos, Texas Police Department from 2014 and 2017. Prior to being promoted to Assistant Chief she spent 28 years holding various ranks within the organization, Commander over Criminal Investigation & Patrol Division, Sergeant over Criminal Investigations Division, Sergeant over Patrol Division, and as a detective assigned to the DEA task force. She began her law enforcement career at the City of Friendswood Police Department (Texas) in 1986 before leaving in 1989 to start her career with the San Marcus Police Department.

The Town of Davidson is extremely appreciative of Chief Dunn’s service to the community and dedication to its police department. Under her leadership, the department successfully received re-accreditation by CALEA (the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies), verifying that the department met the commission’s professional standards and national best practices. Additional accomplishments during her tenure include: improving public safety services, increasing the department’s commitment to community policing by creating the first Community Engagement Officer position, and serving on the North Carolina League of Municipalities’ Chief’s Advisory Board, as the Vice-President of the North Carolina Police Executives Association, and on the Advisory Group for the Family Justice Center Project. She was also integral to the development of the Davidson’s inaugural Co-responder Unit Program and helping grow the department staffing to meet the needs of our residents and community. 

“Chief Dunn has done so much to strengthen Davidson’s police department and serve her community during her tenure with us,” said Town Manager Jamie Justice. “Please join us on January 30 to thank her for her years of dedication and hard work and congratulate her on her well-earned retirement.”