[Archived] Alexandria Police Chief Michael L. Brown Announces Retirement

­­For Immediate Release: June 4, 2021 

Chief of the Alexandria Police Department Michael L. Brown has announced that he will retire effective June 25, 2021.

“This has been a difficult decision for me because I am so proud of the many commendable efforts within the Alexandria Police Department at this time,” said Police Chief Michael Brown. "I am making this decision based upon several changing family priorities. It is very important for me to give these priorities the attention they are due.”

“I want to thank Chief Brown for his many initiatives in addressing 21st-century policing opportunities in the Alexandria Police Department,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “Continuous improvement is a value of our City government and Chief Brown embraced that value wholeheartedly, to the benefit of Alexandria residents and businesses. He provided solid leadership through challenging times for policing and worked to build trust in the community.”

Brown’s career includes 45 years of public service in law enforcement, safety oversight, and public policy. Brown joined the Alexandria Police Department (APD) at the start of 2017 and has helped to implement best practices through neighborhood protection, community policing, traffic safety, and strategic planning. Accomplishments during Brown’s tenure include APD’s significant progress in building relationships with Alexandria residents and neighborhood groups; commitment to implementation of the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan through education and modernized equipment; and the creation of the department’s Peer Support and Resiliency Program to enhance employee well-being.  

The City will retain an executive search firm to recruit from talented law enforcement leaders locally and across the nation. The search will include input from stakeholders throughout the community; additional details will be announced as they are developed. An Acting Police Chief will soon be announced by the City Manager.

For media inquiries, contact Kelly Gilfillen, Acting Director of Communications and Public Information, at 703.746.4644 or kelly.gilfillen@alexandriava.gov.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact kelly.gilfillen@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4644, Virginia Relay 711.