Chief Jacquelyn "Jackie" Stepp has been named the Asheville Police Department's permanent police chief, the city of Asheville announced Sept. 24.
Stepp, a lifelong advocate for community-centered policing, has served the Asheville community for more than 20 years. Stepp started as a patrol officer in 2005, the Citizen Times previously reported. Since then, she rose through the ranks to be named the department's first female deputy chief in October 2023, overseeing the Administrative Bureau. She was named interim chief in November 2025 following former Chief Mike Lamb's retirement.
“I am proud to promote Chief Stepp as Asheville’s next chief of police. She emerged from a rigorous and competitive selection process that focused on leadership, experience
and a vision needed to lead the Department into its next chapter.” City Manager D.K. Wesley said in a news release. “I look forward to working with Stepp to advance a community-centered approach to public safety ― one grounded in integrity, trust, collaboration, accountability and a commitment to advancing safety for our entire community.”
Stepp said in the news release that serving as interim chief has reinforced her pride in the men and women of the Asheville Police Department.
“I am deeply honored to step into the permanent chief role and will work alongside our dedicated officers, city leadership, and community partners as we continue to build on our progress and move Asheville forward together,” Stepp said in the release.
Stepp holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Western Carolina University and is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. She is also a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Program, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Women’s Leadership Institute.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: City of Asheville names permanent police chief
