Asheville Police: Jackie Stepp sworn in as permanent chief

Asheville residents gained a permanent leader at the top of their local law enforcement agency on Friday morning. Jackie Stepp was sworn in at City Hall, ending a roughly year-long interim period and becoming the department's new chief.

Stepp is not new to the force. She has worked for the Asheville Police Department for more than 21 years and rose through the ranks to the top position. She stated that she intends to finish her career in the city, calling it her home rather than a temporary stop.

"This isn’t a steppingstone for me. This is my home, and I’m here to make a lasting impact," Stepp said.

The new chief identified stability as a core objective, noting that the average tenure for previous chiefs has been less than two years. She listed reducing crime, building community trust, and improving recruitment and retention as her main priorities. She also highlighted compensation as a continuing focus for the department.

Stepp took over leadership after former Chief Mike Lamb retired last November. She has managed the agency as interim chief since that time. She described the past year as a period of high community engagement with public safety issues, which she said gave her an optimistic outlook on the department's future.

"As your chief, my vision is simple. To be a professional, high performing department. Who is the best trained, best equipped, best paid," she said. She added that she is committed to listening to residents and ensuring they have a voice in how the department moves forward.

The department will now operate under Stepp's permanent leadership. She emphasized that her approach involves being present and supporting employees while addressing the concerns that matter most to the public.