Fairfax County police chief announces retirement

FCPD Chief Roessler speaks at a Black Lives Matter rally hosted by the Fairfax County NAACP in June at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. has announced plans to retire in February 2021.

Roessler was hired by the Fairfax County Police Department as a police recruit in 1989, rose up through the ranks, and was appointed chief in 2013.

Under Roessler’s tenure, FCPD has embraced community partnerships, cooperatively developing police reforms in an increasingly urbanized county.

In thanking Roessler for his service, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay said: “His efforts, along with officers and our community, have made us the safest jurisdiction of our size in the nation. The chief has worked with the board on reforms that have solidified the police department as a leader in transparency and community trust.”

Roessler, however, has faced criticism from FCPD officers who say morale in the department has decreased of late.

The Fairfax County Police Association complained that Roessler hasn’t objected to a series of police reforms enacted in Virginia last month. Those reforms include a ban on no-knock warrants and neck restraints.

In July, the Fairfax County Fraternal Order of Police demanded the Board of Supervisors fire Roessler over his criticism of a White officer, Tyler Timberlake, who used a stun gun against a Black man without visible provocation.

According to Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield), the lone Republican on the board, “Our officers are operating in a culture of fear and retaliation, afraid to do their jobs with conflicting guidance and a lack of support from leadership.”

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In announcing his retirement, Roessler said: “The FCPD is blessed with women and men, past and present, who understand their noble calling in life and are dedicated to serving and protecting others.”

“I’ve worked alongside progressive law enforcement professionals, amazing forward-thinking strategic county leaders, and great community advocates who have truly embraced the concepts of One Fairfax to ensure equity for all,” he said. “Our county leaders, community, and its great police department are positioned to continue to serve as a model for the next generation of policing in America.”

Roessler and a K9 companion. [FCPD]

Roessler led the department through an external review of its use-of-force policies and community review by the independent Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

That review process resulted in the following changes:

• increased transparency;
• implementation of a body-worn camera program;
• establishment of a Civilian Review Panel and Independent Police Auditor’s office;
• significant modifications to use-of-force policies, including de-escalation, duty to intervene, prohibition of chokeholds, crisis intervention training, and diversion programs; and
• enhanced diversity recruitment.

Among his other accomplishments, Roessler formed the Chief’s Diversity Council and partnered with community leaders to help form the Communities of Trust Committee to increase public trust and transparency.

Under his leadership, several investigative bureaus were reorganized to create FCPD’s Cyber and Forensics Bureau, which uses new technologies to solve crimes.

Roessler also prioritized wellness and increased mental health support and resources for FCPD personnel and welcomed the addition of an officer-driven K-9 therapy program to help officers deal with post-traumatic stress. Roessler and his wife raised K-9 Indy, who is now in service with the FCPD Peer Team.