Protesters Call For Police Chief To Be Fired in Prince William

WOODBRIDGE, VA — More than 40 people gathered in Woodbridge on Saturday to protest the hiring of new Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham. Protesters cited Newsham's record as the chief of police in Washington, D.C., and a lack of community input in his hiring as the cause of their unhappiness.

Newsham was hired by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors last year in a 7-1 vote. Margaret Franklin, Woodbridge's representative on the board, was the only supervisor to vote against Newsham's hiring. Newsham is scheduled to start as Prince William County's police chief on Monday, Feb. 1.

Nancy Lyall is part of the community coalition that helped organize the protest. "Newsham is not someone we want in the county in any capacity," she said. “We have looked at his track record in D.C. and it’s abominable when it comes to people’s civil rights and civil liberties.”

In addition to calling for the firing of Chief Newsham, protesters spread awareness for a new, community-run hotline where residents can report instances of police abuse in Prince William County. The new hotline can be reached at 571-249-2975. The hotline is not staffed, but residents can leave a message detailing their experiences with the Prince William Police Department.

"We don't need his divisive tactics here," said Larry Bell, a Prince William County resident for more than 40 years. "The Board of Supervisors has shattered our confidence."

Several protesters expressed concerns about the board's ability to represent community members.

"We don't have much confidence in their oversight," Lyall said.

She and other protesters noted they would have preferred the supervisors host more opportunities to voice their concerns.

In July, the county released a survey where residents could describe the characteristics they'd want in a police chief. Protesters like Bell and Lyall said they would prefer open forums and discussions with members of the community.

At a rally in front of the McCoart Building in Woodbridge, speakers young and old discussed their fears about the future of the county's police force.

Salina Driss has lived in Prince William County her whole life, about 20 years.

"There needs to be more community involvement," Driss said about the county's hiring of the new police chief. “The organizers and community members against Newsham have felt invalidated for months.”

The protesters were not optimistic about the supervisors rescinding Newsham's employment before he starts on Monday, but they were undeterred. "We're not going to stop showing up," Driss said.

"It may seem futile to some," Bell said. "But you don't quit just because things are hard."

Throughout the afternoon's rally and march, protesters expressed their issues with the broader criminal justice system, in addition to their concerns with Chief Newsham.

"Newsham is not the only issue here," said Alinah Kargar, one of the protesters. "He is just one head of the hydra."

Following the rally, protesters marched along Prince William Parkway for about an hour. As they walked, protesters chanted "D.C. didn't want him, neither do we!" They also stated, "No justice, no peace."

As they marched on the sidewalk, several cars honked their horns in a showing of support. Protesters also handed out flyers detailing the hotline and their concerns with the new police chief.

Prince William County’s previous police chief, Barry Bernard, retired on July 1, 2020, according to the department’s website. Jarad Phelps has been the county’s interim police chief since then.