Carrboro police could merge with Chapel Hill police

The Town of Chapel Hill could soon provide police services to Carrboro.

Carrboro leadership asked Chapel Hill earlier this year to study whether the Chapel Hill Police Department could expand its services to Carrboro residents. Town manager Ted Voorhees said the two towns are examining the legal, personnel and financial impacts of the idea.

Officials said the proposal could involved what they call a "phased integration" of Carrboro Police personnel into the Chapel Hill Police Department. Under the concept, Chapel Hill Police would provide patrol, investigative and crisis response services in Carrboro, with Carrboro paying Chapel Hill for those services.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew said community-based policing in Chapel Hill would not change and officers would continue to be deployed based on community needs.

Town leaders say discussions are ongoing and any formal plan would require approval from both Carrboro and Chapel Hill town councils. Officials also plan to discuss the idea with residents, partners and elected leaders in the coming weeks.