Montgomery Police Chief Nominee Pulls Name From Consideration

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Tonya Chapman, the woman vying to become Montgomery County's next police chief, has pulled her name from consideration.

On Tuesday afternoon, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released a statement about Chapman's withdrawal. The Democrat, however, did not cite the reasons for her decision.

"I have received a letter from Tonya Chapman stating that she has withdrawn her name from consideration to be Montgomery County's next chief of police," Elrich said. "She brought a wealth of experience and knowledge that would have been good for the County. I wish her the best in her future endeavors."

It is unclear why Chapman has withdrawn her name from consideration to become Montgomery County's next police chief. But Elrich says he is "confident" that he will pick a new police chief soon.

Chapman was among 20 candidates under consideration by Elrich. The vacancy was created when longtime Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger retired in April.

Elrich chose Chapman to lead the county's 1,300-member force after his other top pick, Takoma Park Police Chief Antonio DeVaul, took himself out of the running last month.

Chapman has more than 20 years of experience as a police officer in Virginia. And in February of 2016, she made history when she became the first African American woman appointed to lead Portsmouth, Virginia's police department. Her tenure as top cop, however, only lasted three years.

In March, Chapman resigned as police chief in Portsmouth after years of clashes with other officers and low police morale, according to multiple media outlets. Some Montgomery County residents worried that Elrich had made the wrong decision by naming Chapman as his nominee.