Congratulations to Deputy Chief Alex Sotelo who will be honored a UNCW Alumni Association Distinguished Awards

Alejandra Sotelo '00, Distinguished Diversity Award, is the highest-ranking female and Latinx officer in the history of the Wilmington Police Department. Sotelo oversees a majority of the department's uniformed officers in her role as deputy chief.

Sotelo inspires young women through her involvement in GLOW Academy's “Cool Women, Hot Jobs,” which brings women role models to the academy that serves mostly minority, low-income students. She also oversees COP Camp, where at-risk children participate in police department-sponsored activities. Sotelo is an executive board member and former president of the North Carolina Police Executives Association. She also advocates for women in law enforcement as a member of the NC Law Enforcement Women's Association.

She is a mentor for UNCW Centro Hispano's MI CASA and a member of the Latino Alliance. Sotelo received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology from UNCW. Sotelo earned a master’s degree in public administration from UNC Pembroke. In 2022, she completed the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Selina Thomas-Newell of NC Central University for receiving her NC Advanced Certification. 

Congratulations to Sergeant Select Tiesha Williams of UNC Chapel Hill Police Department for obtaining her NC Advanced Certification.