Mayor Jones Announces Appointment of New Chief of Police

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced the appointment of Richmond Police Department Deputy Chief Alfred Durham as the next Chief of Police.

When naming Alfred Durham, Mayor Jones acknowledged the wealth of experience at senior levels in Richmond’s police department, and the department’s success with community policing.

“When Chief Ray Tarasovic told me last fall that he wanted to retire, I decided then that I wanted the next Chief to continue two hallmarks of his tenure. First, I expect crime rates to stay low and I expect a continued commitment to community policing,” said Mayor Jones. “We’ve had five straight years of violent crime reduction, with rates the lowest in the 40 years I’ve been in Richmond, and that’s helping to fuel the Richmond Resurgence.”

Mayor Jones noted that Alfred Durham brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously worked in Richmond serving on former Chief Rodney Monroe’s leadership team. Durham worked in Richmond from 2005 to 2007. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He holds an Associates’ degree in Corrections Administration from the University of the District of Columbia. He served in the Marine Corps for 17 years, and then retired from the Metropolitan Police Department in DC, after 25 years. In DC, he led several departments, and served as Boating Law Administrator for the District. He rose to Assistant Chief, serving as the Executive Officer in the Office of the Chief of Police, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the police force.

“As a veteran of the DC police force, Chief Durham knows how to handle major events. He planned the Presidential Inauguration in 2005, and he knows how to handle multiple major events at one time,” continued Jones. “This experience gives me great confidence as we prepare for the World Championships of Cycling in September. I know we’ll be ready for the biggest event Richmond has ever seen.”

Durham has maintained a home in Southern Barton Heights for a decade. He returned to the Richmond Police Department last November, becoming one of three Deputy Chiefs.

“I would like to thank Mayor Jones for the opportunity to lead what I feel is one of the finest police departments in the country,” said Durham. “Policing is a noble profession, a profession that I have dedicated my life to. Over the course of my career, I've realized incredible rewards, but being named Police Chief for the City of Richmond tops the list of those rewards. I'm humbled by this awesome responsibility that is being given to me and look forward to serving Richmond as Chief of Police.”

Durham’s appointment becomes effective Feb. 21, 2015, and his salary will be $165,000 annually.