New Charlottesville police chief sworn in
June 21, 2018
Associated Press
Charlottesville’s new police chief has been sworn in.
RaShall Brackney took the oath of office Monday afternoon in the City Council’s chambers.
Brackney is the first permanent successor of Chief Al Thomas, who retired in December after the release of a scathing report about the law enforcement response to a violent white nationalist rally in August.
Brackney is a former George Washington University police chief and a 30-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
She said in brief remarks that she was honored to be chosen and pledged to personally get to know the community.
Mayor Nikuyah Walker said she believed Brackney would work to bridge a divide between the city's citizens, especially African-American residents, and law enforcement.
Brackney is Charlottesville’s first African-American woman to serve in the job.