Greensboro City Manager defends hiring of new police chief from outside department

City Manager Trey Davis says the decision to hire an outside candidate was based on qualifications, not origin, following extensive community feedback.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A photorealistic painting of a lone police car parked on a shadowy urban street, with warm sunlight casting dramatic diagonal shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and civic responsibility.The hiring of Greensboro's new police chief from outside the department has sparked debate, but the city hopes to build community trust through transparency and engagement.Greensboro Today

City leaders in Greensboro, North Carolina are defending the decision to hire a new police chief, Kamran Afzal, from outside the Greensboro Police Department. City Manager Trey Davis said the choice followed a months-long national search that included both internal and external candidates, along with extensive public input. Some residents have criticized the city for not publicly presenting finalists or allowing more direct community involvement at later stages of the process, but Davis said each search is different and must balance transparency with protecting candidates.

Why it matters

The hiring of a new police chief is a significant decision for any city, as the police chief plays a crucial role in setting the tone and direction for the department. Greensboro's decision to hire an outside candidate has raised questions about transparency and community involvement in the selection process.

The details

City Manager Trey Davis said the choice of Kamran Afzal, who most recently served as police chief in Dayton, Ohio, was based on his qualifications and ability to build relationships, not his origin. The process began months before the job was posted, with five community meetings used to shape the profile of the next chief. Davis said the decision was made from a competitive group of finalists, but he denied a request from the media to identify the final candidates under consideration, citing limitations surrounding personnel matters.

  • The process to hire a new police chief began months before the job was posted.
  • The city held five community meetings to gather input on the desired profile of the next police chief.

The players

Trey Davis

The City Manager of Greensboro, North Carolina, who defended the decision to hire Kamran Afzal as the new police chief from outside the Greensboro Police Department.

Kamran Afzal

The new police chief of Greensboro, North Carolina, who previously served as police chief in Dayton, Ohio.

Greensboro Police Department

The local police department in Greensboro, North Carolina, which did not have an internal candidate selected as the new police chief.

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What they’re saying

“The decision to hire Chief Afzal was less about hiring someone outside of the department and more about identifying the right person for the role. I do it carefully, with much deliberation, making sure I'm identifying somebody that really met the qualifications of what people wanted to see.”

— Trey Davis, City Manager

“Those community meetings were so important because during that time we were able to really gain an understanding to build up what we identify as a profile for what type of candidate this community wants to see.”

— Trey Davis, City Manager

“The process is not always cookie cutter. You have to weigh the candidates that you have before you and … the integrity of the process and the integrity of candidates who may be employees in other areas at the time.”

— Trey Davis, City Manager

“I would hope that people in this community would provide me the respect to know that the decision I made was the best for this community.”

— Trey Davis, City Manager

“I would ask the people to respect the professionalism of Chief Afzal and give him an opportunity to show the qualities that we know he can exhibit.”

— Trey Davis, City Manager

What’s next

City leaders plan to hold community meetings across Greensboro after Afzal takes office, giving residents a chance to meet him and share their expectations. Afzal is also expected to meet with business leaders, faith groups and other community organizations early in his tenure.

The takeaway

The hiring of an outside police chief in Greensboro has raised questions about transparency and community involvement in the selection process. However, the city manager has defended the decision, stating that it was based on Afzal's qualifications and ability to build relationships, not his origin. The city is now urging residents to give Afzal a chance to lead and is planning community outreach efforts to introduce him to the community.