Fredericksburg Appoints Interim Chief Mason As New Police Chief

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Interim Chief Betsy Mason has been appointed as Fredericksburg’s next Chief of Police. City Manager Tim Baroody announced the appointment, with Mason formally assuming the role.

Mason has served as a sworn member of the Fredericksburg Police Department since 2012. Before joining the city, she worked for seven and a half years with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, where she achieved the rank of sergeant. Her tenure in Fredericksburg includes roles as detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.

In 2023, following a statewide search, Mason was selected to serve as deputy chief. She has been serving as interim chief since Chief Brian Layton’s retirement on Jan. 1. Mason is a Certified Law Enforcement Command Executive through the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and a licensed polygraph examiner.

She is also an instructor with the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy and a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Mason holds bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also earned a master of public administration from George Mason University.

“Chief Mason has been a leader within our police department and was previously selected as Deputy Chief after a statewide search.” Baroody said. “She is the right person for the job and I am proud to appoint her as Fredericksburg’s next Chief of Police.”

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Mason expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am truly honored and humbled to be appointed as the next Chief of Police for this great city.” She added, “I want to thank our city leadership for the confidence they have placed in me to lead this department.”

“I am proud of the dedicated men and women of our nationally accredited police department, and I look forward to working alongside those whose professionalism and commitment make our city safer every day," Mason said. “As chief, I will continue to strengthen public trust through transparency, collaboration and partnership between our officers and the community we serve.”

The Fredericksburg Police Department provides professional police services, focusing on protecting life and property, preventing crime, and engaging the community.