Input Sought For Fairfax County Police Chief Search

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A nationwide search is being conducted to find the next police chef for the Fairfax County Police Department.

The search comes after Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. announced his intent to retire in February 2021. Roessler has been involved with the police department since being hired as a police recruit in 1989 and became the permanent police chief in 2013.

The county has a search firm to assist with the search, which includes community outreach to help identify characteristics, traits and issues to consider. A survey for residents and businesses is open through Jan. 8. It is available in English and Spanish. In addition, the county will host focus groups with key community organizations as part of the process.

The police chief leads the police department in Virginia's most populous jurisdiction. It has one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the U.S. when compared to other jurisdictions with populations over 1 million. It's also an increasingly diverse jurisdiction and among the richest in the country based on median household income.

The police department is nationally accredited with a certificate of advanced accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The department was also reaccredited through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.