Montgomery County Police Chief Nominee Announced

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has nominated Tonya Chapman to be police chief. The former Portsmouth, Virginia police chief now has to be vetted by the county council. A possible confirmation, according to Bethesda Beat, is expected for September.

Last week, one of two finalists vying to become Montgomery County's next police chief pulled his name from consideration.

Takoma Park Police Chief Antonio DeVaul took himself out of the running on Wednesday, making Chapman the last remaining candidate for the position in Maryland's most populous county.

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

In February of 2016, Chapman made history when she became the first African American woman appointed to lead Portsmouth'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.

Elrich told the magazine Thursday that he wasn't aware of some of issues the department had under Chapman's leadership in Portsmouth. He also said he does not think that her abrupt departure had anything to do with controversy.

"They (The Portsmouth Police Department) said they separated from her because of leadership issues, not because of the job she does," he said.