Jeffrey Smythe

Gov. Josh Stein appointed Jeffrey Smythe, as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety effective January 1, 2026.

Smythe has served as the Director of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division of the Department of Justice since August 2021. Before joining the Department of Justice, Smythe served as the Police Chief of the Burlington Police Department, where he implemented initiatives focusing on officer wellness and preparedness, emphasizing de-escalation, addressing implicit bias and implementing behavioral health resources. Smythe began his career as a police officer with the Arizona State University Police Department in Tempe, Arizona. A Philadelphia native, he holds an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and a master's degree from Northern Arizona University. He has also completed executive leadership development programs at Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.