Assistant Chief Don Hayes has been named the temporary successor to retiring Police Chief Michael Brown, the City announced after business hours Thursday night.
Hayes, a 40-year veteran of the department, will take over as Acting Chief on June 25, according to City Manager Mark Jinks.
“Chief Hayes’ 40 years of experience leading various aspects of the Alexandria Police Department and long-standing connection to the community make him the right choice for this Acting Police Chief role,” Jinks said in a statement.
Brown recently made the surprise announcement that he is retiring, and put in three weeks notice. The City will undergo a national search for his permanent replacement.
Hayes was promoted as Assistant Chief of Police for Operations in 2019. He was made sergeant in 1996, and after becoming a lieutenant in 2000 commanded the Special Operations Division, the Information Services Section and Public Services Section. He also served as assistant commander of the Patrol Operations Bureau. Hayes was promoted to Captain in 2013, and then took over the Traffic, Parking & Special Events Division and a portion of the Patrol Operations Bureau.
Hayes, who has lived in Alexandria for more than 25 years, has a Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s in divinity from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowie State University.
Mayor Justin Wilson and City Councilwoman Amy Jackson congratulated Hayes on social media.
Congratulations and gratitude to Acting Chief Hayes as he leads the dedicated @AlexandriaVAPD team through this upcoming transition. https://t.co/FtthifZXbF
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) June 10, 2021
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
