Richetta Graves Slade has been appointed interim assistant vice chancellor for public safety at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

"Chief Slade has been an outstanding and respectable officer for over two decades to the university," said Dr. Sullivan Welborne Jr., vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "She is also recognized as an outstanding professional around the state of North Carolina in police and public safety. The university is proud to have her as part of its administrative team."

Graves began her law enforcement career in 1978 as an officer with the Gibsonville Police Department. In 1981, she was hired by N.C. A&T Police Department where she rose through the ranks to her present position.

Slade is a member of several law enforcement organizations and often mentors officers from various departments. She has been awarded the Law Enforcement Advanced Certification which is the highest honor awarded to an officer. Slade has also completed many law enforcement educational programs including the Executive Training Institute and NC State Law Enforcement Executive Program. She was recently honored by her department and received the 2007 Award of Merit.

Slade, a resident of Gibsonville, N.C., is the parent of two adult sons and is a certified Therapeutic Foster Parent.

The university is currently conducting a national search for the position of assistant vice chancellor for public safety under the leadership of Linda McAbee, vice chancellor for Human Resources.