Arlington Police Chief Jay Farr To Retire In September

ARLINGTON, VA — Chief Murray "Jay" Farr will be retiring Sept. 4, after a 30-year career at the Arlington County Police Department, according to a release.

During his tenure, Farr, who has been Arlington's chief of police since May 2015, has focused on transportation safety, community engagement, and the prevention and control of crime in the county. He also launched a partnership between the county, business and community called the Arlington Restaurant Initiative, making Arlington a safe destination for nightlife and entertainment.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of Arlington Count," Farr said, in the release. “I am incredibly proud of our officers and their efforts to maintain a high level of public safety across our community.”

County Manager March Schwartz praised Farr's leadership, calling it instrumental in advancing community policing across Arlington.

“On behalf of all County Board members, I want to thank Chief Farr for his years of exemplary service in one of the toughest jobs, Chief of Police. Jay has guided our police force into 21st Century community policing," County Board Chair Libby Garvey said, in the release. “He has made ACPD one of the most respected police departments in the region and positioned us well to work with our community as we transition into the next era of policing and public safety that makes everyone feel safe.”

During his 30 years at ACPD, Farr served in a variety roles, including as deputy chief of police for systems management, operations, and criminal investigations, and acting deputy county manager. He's been an active member of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, where he served as the chairman of the Police Chief Committee.

Before Farr came to ACPD in 1990, he worked with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he served with the presidential helicopter unit. He has both a bachelor's and master's degrees from George Mason University and took park in advanced educational programs at the Naval Post Graduate School Center for Defense and Homeland Security, the FBI National Academy, and the Senior Institute for Police Management. He's also a graduate of Leadership Arlington and an adjunct professor at GMU, where he teaches a curriculum of criminal justice and emergency management for law enforcement.

The Arlington County Manager will conduct a national recruitment effort to find Farr's successor this fall.