New Police Chief Appointed By Alexandria City Manager, Role Starts In November

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria is gaining a new police chief after the departure of Don Hayes.

Tarrick McGuire will become police chief, effective Nov. 25. He comes from the Arlington, Texas police department, where he serves as assistant chief. He was previously deputy chief since 2018 and has 11 years of command experience. City Manager James Parajon made the police chief appointment after a nationwide search.

"It is vital that our public safety leadership possesses the expertise and vision to implement effective interventions that safeguard our residents," Parajon said in a statement. "Chief McGuire is a proven leader who will continue to lead our police in effectively serving our community.”

According to city government, McGuire helped create the Mentoring Arlington Youth, which helped lower crime rates and garnered national recognition from the Department of Justice's COPS Office as a model for 21st Century Policing. The assistant chief also helped in crime reduction strategies to bring down violent crime and directed the Safe Roads Initiative to work on reducing crashes and fatalities on local roads. He has worked in various positions for Arlington, Texas police, gaining experience in patrol, investigations, and community relations.

McGuire was appointed as an International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Fellow in 2016, collaborating with police departments, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Obama Administration to implement 21st Century Task Force on Policing recommendations. He was appointed in 2020 to the Council on Police Reform and Race by the National Policing Institute (formerly the National Police Foundation) and served as chairperson of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Committee. McGuire is part of the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame.

McGuire succeeds former Police Chief Don Hayes stepped down in early 2024 after taking a federal level job. Hayes had been with the Alexandria Police Department in different roles since 1981. Raul Pedroso has been serving as interim police chief as the city searched for a permanent replacement.

"I am honored and grateful to accept the position of Police Chief of the Alexandria Police Department," said McGuire. "I believe in a community-oriented approach to policing, building public trust through transparency, and emphasizing communication and collaboration. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers, community leaders, and residents to create a safer Alexandria for everyone."