New Police Chief Chosen In Falls Church As Mary Gavin Retires

FALLS CHURCH, VA — A new police chief has been chosen in the City of Falls Church to replace the retiring Mary Gavin.

City Manager Wyatt Shields announced that Shahram Fard will be the new City of Falls Church Police Chief and Director of Public Safety, effective Jan. 22, 2024. Fard is currently a chief deputy in charge of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office Judicial & Field Operations Bureau.

"I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety for the City of Falls Church," said Fard in a statement. "It is with great humility that I express my gratitude to City Manager Wyatt Shields for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. I would also like to recognize Chief Mary Gavin for her years of exceptional leadership and service to the Northern Virginia public safety community, as well as for her many accomplishments in Falls Church."

Before joining the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, Fard was a 25-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department, including a deputy police chief. He has served leadership positions at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy and the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is currently an adjunct faculty member with the George Mason University Department of Criminology, Law, and Society.

Fard is also part of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Associates, the National Sheriff’s Association, the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. He has a master's degree, bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from the Johns Hopkins University, certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia and a certified public manager credential from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government and George Washington University’s Institute for Regional Excellence.

"Throughout the interview process it was clear that with Mr. Fard’s record as a senior leader in Northern Virginia’s law enforcement community that he is a perfect fit for our community," said Shields in a statement. "I look forward to working with him and continuing the high standards for community-based public safety for which our police department is known."

Gavin, who has been with the police department for 16 years, including 11 years as police chief, will retire on Jan. 1, 2024. The city has been conducting a national recruitment after Gavin announced her intent to retire. The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police assisted with the interview process and vetting of 37 candidates. Three finalists had been interviewed by panels of community representatives, Falls Church Police Department members and current and retired police chiefs around Virginia.

"Joining the Falls Church Police Department team is an absolute thrill and a privilege," said Fard. "I am excited to contribute and help uphold the tradition of excellence they are known for locally and nationally. I am eagerly looking forward to collaborating with everyone in the City of Falls Church community to provide exceptional public safety services."

Deputy Chief Maj. Jiwan Chhetri is serving as interim police chief and director of public safety in between Gavin's retirement on Jan. 1 and Fard assuming the role on Jan. 22.