About Chief Norris
Patricia D. Norris, Alumni Class of 1993, has served as Winston-Salem State University’s Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police since August 1, 2008. She succeeds Willie Bell, who retired from the position after 11 years.
A life-long resident of Winston-Salem, Chief Norris graduated from Reynolds High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winston-Salem State University. She is also a graduate of the Administrative Officers’ Management Program at N.C. State University.
A career police officer who joined the Winston-Salem Police Department in 1977, Chief Norris last served as Chief of Police for the city from 2004 through 2008. While serving as Chief she focused on improving the department’s relationship with the community and implemented innovative investigative techniques including video interviews and a new computer-generated photo lineup procedure.
Chief Norris has worked in the community and serves on several boards including, the Salvation Army Girls’ Club; Forsyth Futures; the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; the Liberty Community Development Corporation; the Northwest North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross; Mediation Services of Forsyth County; Communities in Schools of Forsyth County; and the Executive Committee of the WSSU Center for Community Safety.
