DUNN, N.C. (WNCN) — Just under 3 weeks since she was placed on paid administrative leave, City of Dunn Police Chief Cary Jackson’s resignation has been announced by the city.

Officials told CBS 17 in late September they were “not at liberty to provide a reason” for the leave of absence, but said no laws were broken.

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On Wednesday, the city said Chief Jackson decided to resign, and that resignation will be effective Oct. 28. In the meantime, the city said she is “taking earned leave from October 14 through October 28.”

“To ensure continuity of operations, City Manager Justin Hembree has appointed
Major/Acting Chief Nicholas Simmons to serve as Interim Chief of the Dunn Police
Department,” the city said in its statement Wednesday.

In his own statement, Hembree said, “We wish Chief Jackson the best in her future endeavors and are fortunate to have someone as qualified as Interim Chief Simmons to lead the Police Department.”

Dunn Police Dept. photo

Chief Jackson made history as the first woman to ever become police chief of the Dunn Police Department when she took the helm in 2022.

The City of Dunn said it will immediately begin the search for the next Chief of Police.