Former Burlington Chief Sworn In To City Council, Brings Policing Expertise

Jeffrey Smythe took the oath of office for Burlington City Council on December 2, 2025, joining local leadership after a long career in law enforcement and current service in a statewide regulatory post. Since August 2021 he has served as Director of the Criminal Justice Standards Division for the State of North Carolina. The division carries out regulatory responsibilities for the 35 member Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, certifying training academies and instructors, and certifying correctional officers and police officers across the state while maintaining ethical standards for all personnel.

Smythe arrives at City Council with 35 years of policing experience. His career includes eight years as Chief of Police for the Burlington Police Department, five years as Chief of Police for the Show Low Arizona Police Department, three years with the Arizona State University Police Department, and 19 years with the Scottsdale Arizona Police Department. He has held leadership posts in professional associations, including terms as vice president of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, president of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training, and as a Commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. He is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Executive Research Forum. Smythe lives in Burlington with his wife Kimberly and has three adult children and one grandchild.

For local residents the immediate implications are tangible. Smythe brings technical knowledge on training, certification, accreditation, and ethical standards that can inform municipal decisions about policing, recruitment, use of force policy, officer training budgets, and community oversight. His statewide role also creates institutional intersections that merit clear procedures for transparency, and where appropriate, recusal when City Council matters could touch the work of the Criminal Justice Standards Division or the commission it supports.

Civic engagement will shape how this experience is translated into policy. Residents should monitor upcoming council agendas that address public safety and training, request public records on related contracts and certifications, and weigh council votes in light of Smythe's dual responsibilities. Clear reporting and consistent recusal practices will be essential to maintain public trust while leveraging Smythe's background to improve local law enforcement standards.