WILMINGTON — The City of Wilmington has selected Brooke Wright to be assistant chief of police for the Wilmington Police Department and promoted Captain Rodney Dawson to deputy chief of police.
Both will begin in their new roles on July 13.
Wright brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience and executive leadership to Wilmington, joining the department from the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia. She most recently served as assistant chief after advancing through every rank within the organization, from dispatcher to executive leadership. Prior to beginning her law enforcement career, Wright served in the United States Air Force.
As assistant chief, Wright will assist in the overall management and administration of the WPD, providing leadership in strategic planning, succession planning, policy development, organizational improvement initiatives, and department-wide operations. She will work closely with Chief Ryan Zuidema and the department’s leadership team to support the agency’s mission of community partnership, organizational excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement.
“I am excited to welcome Assistant Chief Wright to the WPD,” Chief Zuidema said in a press release. “She brings decades of strong law enforcement leadership experience, which will greatly benefit both our community and department. Her extensive background in operations, criminal investigations, personnel development, and interagency collaboration will be a tremendous asset as we continue strengthening public safety and organizational excellence.”
Throughout her career, Wright has led initiatives to reduce violent crime, strengthen officer wellness, modernize police operations, and improve recruitment and retention. She directed the creation of a Violent Crime Suppression Unit that apprehended violent offenders while prioritizing officer and community safety; oversaw human resources functions, including recruiting, retention, and background investigations; and helped establish a nationally recognized Health and Wellness Unit focused on supporting employee wellbeing and resilience.
Wright holds a master’s degree in public safety from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bluefield College. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute, and the Southern Police Institute’s Strategic Management for 21st Century Policing program. She currently maintains an FBI Top Secret Security Clearance and was recognized with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Chief’s Eagle Award in 2024.
After a nationwide search, Dawson was chosen to become deputy chief of police. Dawson brings more than 22 years of law enforcement experience to the role, including eight years in executive command positions with the Wilmington Police Department.
Most recently, Dawson has served as acting deputy chief of police of the Uniform Patrol Bureau, providing executive leadership and operational oversight for patrol operations and department resources.
“Deputy Chief Dawson has served the WPD with distinction for more than two decades,” Chief Zuidema said in a press release. “He has demonstrated strong leadership, deep knowledge of our community, and a commitment to community policing. His promotion recognizes both his proven experience and the confidence we have in his ability to help guide our agency forward. I look forward to working with Deputy Chief Dawson as we continue our mission to serve and protect the residents of Wilmington.”
Since joining the department in 2003, Dawson has steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as a police officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and acting deputy chief of police. Throughout his tenure, he has led a wide range of operational, investigative, and administrative functions, including oversight of the Criminal Investigations, Uniform Patrol, and Administrative Services divisions.
As a captain, Dawson spearheaded several department-wide technology and modernization initiatives, including the implementation of body-worn cameras, TASER technology and digital evidence management systems.
In his new role, Dawson will oversee bureau operations, personnel, training initiatives, and strategic projects while supporting the department’s continued focus on community partnerships, professional excellence, and organizational effectiveness.
Dawson holds a master’s degree in conflict management and resolution with a concentration in national and international security from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a bachelor’s degree from Mount Olive University. He recently completed the Senior Management Institute for Police, a Police Executive Research Forum program that is one of the nation’s premier executive leadership programs for law enforcement professionals.
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