ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Jackie Stepp, who has led the Asheville Police Department on an interim basis since November, has been named the city’s permanent police chief.
City Manager DK Wesley announced Stepp’s appointment Thursday following a national search for the department’s next chief.
Stepp has served with APD for more than 20 years. She was named interim chief on Nov. 21, 2025, following the retirement of former Police Chief Michael Lamb. Before taking the interim job, Stepp served as a deputy chief overseeing the department’s Administrative Bureau.
“I am proud to promote Chief Stepp as Asheville’s next chief of police,” Wesley said in a statement. “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.”
Wesley said she and Stepp would work to advance a community-centered approach to public safety focused on integrity, trust, collaboration and accountability.
Stepp said serving as interim chief over the past year reinforced her pride in the 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.
Stepp holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Western Carolina University. She also is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Program and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Women’s Leadership Institute.