RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein named Jeffrey Smythe as the new secretary for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety last Monday.
“I am excited to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Smythe as the new Secretary of Public Safety,” Stein said in a press release. “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 has been the director of the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division of the Department of Justice since August 2021 and will take over for Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, who is retiring from the post Dec. 31.
Smythe was previously the chief of the Burlington Police Department (2013). Prior to that role, he was chief of police for the Show Low Police Department in Arizona (2008).
His career in law enforcement began as an officer with the Arizona State University Police Department in Tempe (1986) before transferring to the Scottsdale Police Department (1989) where he served for almost two decades.
Smythe also ran unsuccessfully for a spot on the Burlington City Council in 2024.
“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 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.”
Originally from Philadelphia, Smythe received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State and holds a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University and the FBI National Academy.
Buffaloe was appointed as secretary of the Department of Public Safety in November 2021 by former Gov. Roy Cooper. Upon taking office in January 2025, Stein kept him in the role. Buffaloe had been the chief of police at the Elizabeth City Police Department before being tapped by Cooper.
“Eddie Buffaloe has dedicated his career to keeping North Carolinians safe,” said Stein, thanking Buffaloe for his service. “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.”
Buffaloe ‘s next role will be deputy chief for the Administrative Services Division of the Raleigh Police Department. He starts that position on Jan. 5.
“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,” Buffaloe said. “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.”
