Charles Manly Walters was born in Danville, Virginia, eventually moving to Raleigh in the 1880s.  He had served as deputy to County Sheriff Page and Sanitary Inspector for Raleigh before becoming Chief in 1913.  He had also run a store in Raleigh, with his son.
The police department was expanded by four officers in July of 1914 (213 had applied), bringing the total up to 24.  In November of 1914, Chief Walters changed the shift system used by the police to three shifts of eight hours apiece, which was welcomed by the officers.  The new system had seven officers per shift.
In October of 1915, Chief Walters announced that he would resign at the end of the month, citing poor health as the reason.  Charles Walters died on November 1, 1915, the same day that his resignation was supposed to take place.