Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham to Retire
Retirement at year’s end caps 31 years of distinguished service in law enforcement, four years as Chief of RPD
After more than 31 years of distinguished public service in law enforcement, Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham today announced his intention to retire from his job as Chief of Police, effective December 31, 2018.
The chief’s retirement will conclude nearly four years of service to the City of Richmond as police chief, and caps a law enforcement career that began in 1987 with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, following four years of active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps.
“Public service is, and has been, my life,” said Chief Durham, 55. “It has been my highest privilege to serve the men and women of this department and the citizens of this great city. I would like to thank Mayor Stoney for believing in me and for his unwavering support in allowing me the opportunity to strengthen the department and its bonds to the community. It has been both an incredibly challenging and rewarding career for me.”
Chief Durham said he is retiring at a time when the department has received national recognition as a law enforcement agency and has “a great team of employees who are doing remarkable work each and every day.
“Knowing that the department is in a better place than when I assumed command in 2015, I feel that now is the ideal time for me to focus on my personal life and to begin spending quality time with my family,” he said.
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who retained Chief Durham as Chief of Police after taking office in January 2017, thanked him for his years of service to the Richmond community. “Chief Durham deserves our deepest respect and sincere appreciation for his tireless commitment to our city,” he said.
“He has always been a 24-7 chief,” Mayor Stoney continued. “Whether at a community meeting or crime scene, a street festival or a street protest, day or night, the residents of this city could always count on him to be there. Chief Durham gave blood, sweat and tears to this department, and Richmond is a better place because of his service. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”
During Chief Durham’s tenure, the Richmond Police Department expanded its complement of sworn officers to its prescribed strength, a move that enabled the department to assign dedicated officers to the city’s public housing courts, improving safety and security in those areas. The department also modernized its equipment and deployed technology such as body worn cameras, security cameras and laptop computers to police personnel. The department has also been recognized, and consulted by other law enforcement agencies, for its handling of public demonstrations.
“Knowing that the department is in a better place than when I assumed command in 2015, I feel that now is the ideal time for me to focus on my personal life and to begin spending quality time with my family,” he said.
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who retained Chief Durham as Chief of Police after taking office in January 2017, thanked him for his years of service to the Richmond community. “Chief Durham deserves our deepest respect and sincere appreciation for his tireless commitment to our city,” he said.
“He has always been a 24-7 chief,” Mayor Stoney continued. “Whether at a community meeting or crime scene, a street festival or a street protest, day or night, the residents of this city could always count on him to be there. Chief Durham gave blood, sweat and tears to this department, and Richmond is a better place because of his service. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”
During Chief Durham’s tenure, the Richmond Police Department expanded its complement of sworn officers to its prescribed strength, a move that enabled the department to assign dedicated officers to the city’s public housing courts, improving safety and security in those areas. The department also modernized its equipment and deployed technology such as body worn cameras, security cameras and laptop computers to police personnel. The department has also been recognized, and consulted by other law enforcement agencies, for its handling of public demonstrations.
Most recently, the work of the department’s homicide unit was recognized in an article in the Washington Post for the having the highest homicide case closure rate in the nation over the last 10 years. (Click Here)
As of Nov. 13, the city is experiencing a 21 percent decrease in homicides and a nine percent reduction in violent crime.
Chief Durham will serve in his full capacity as chief through the end of the year. The city will conduct a national search for a new chief. In the coming weeks, Mayor Stoney will appoint an interim chief who will assume command of the department following Chief Durham’s departure until a permanent replacement has been selected.
As of Nov. 13, the city is experiencing a 21 percent decrease in homicides and a nine percent reduction in violent crime.
Chief Durham will serve in his full capacity as chief through the end of the year. The city will conduct a national search for a new chief. In the coming weeks, Mayor Stoney will appoint an interim chief who will assume command of the department following Chief Durham’s departure until a permanent replacement has been selected.