Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes waves at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Police Chief Don Hayes at a death investigation at 200 block of Yoakum Parkway (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes speaks with a resident in the 1200 block of Madison Street where there was a recent gunfire incident, pictured on April 18, 2023 (staff photo by james Cullum)
Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes in his office. (staff photo by James Cullum)
(Left to right) Council Members Kirk McPike and John Taylor Chapman, Mayor Justin Wilson and Police Chief Don Hayes at Alexandria’s birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)
Police Chief Don Hayes at Alexandria’s birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes speaks about school safety at Agenda Alexandria’s meeting at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial on Monday, September 26, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)
(Left to right) Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and Fire Chief Corey Smedley at Art On The Avenue in Del Ray, Nov. 12, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)
(Left to right) Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon, Police Chief Don Hayes, Fire Chief Corey Smedley and Sheriff Sean Casey at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)
ACPS Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. (on right) speaks to City Council on bringing back school resource officers alongside School Board Chair Meagan Alderton and acting Police Chief Don Hayes, on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)
Acting Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes. (staff photo by James Cullum)
Police Chief Michael Brown (on left) and Assistant Chief Don Hayes at the annual APD wreath laying ceremony for fallen officers, May 10, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria Police Assistant Chief Don Hayes stands with protestors at the NOVA Vigil to #EndWhiteSilence at Alexandria Police Headquarters on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes is stepping down to take a new federal job, the city announced today. His last day is Feb. 9, and Assistant Chief Raul Pedroso will be interim police chief until a replacement is hired in a national search.
Hayes has been police chief since 2022, before which he was acting chief for a year after the departure of former Chief Michael Brown. He started his career with the Alexandria Police Department in 1981.
“It’s been an honor to dedicate my life to this community,” Hayes said. “I truly believe there is no greater calling than to serve on behalf of the people. Doing so alongside the men and women of this department for the past four decades has been my greatest accomplishment.”
Hayes’ new position has not been publicly announced. City Manager Jim Parajon called him a “capable” leader and “committed public servant.”
“He built upon years of experience to lead APD through some challenging times including ever-increasing demand for services,” Parajon said. “We wish him well in his next endeavor.”
Hayes restructured the department to resemble how it looked before his predecessor Chief Brown took over, by hiring three assistant chiefs and replacing a civilian assistant chief. The city also experienced a crime surge under his watch, and the department suffered diversity and morale issues.
According to the city:
Hayes joined the Alexandria Police Department in March 1981, and achieved the rank of sergeant in 1996, overseeing the community-oriented policing and internal investigations sections. In 1999, Hayes was promoted to lieutenant and led the special operations, information services, and public services divisions. He was promoted to captain in 2013 and served as patrol commander, in addition to heading the parking enforcement, traffic, special events, and community relations divisions. He was promoted to assistant chief in 2019 and has since used his diverse experience to oversee all parts of the Police Department. In December 2021, he was named acting Chief, and made Chief in April 2022.
Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.
