Deputy Chief To Become New New Vienna Police Chief In 2026

VIENNA, VA — The Town of Vienna has chosen a new police chief from the ranks of its own Vienna Police Department.

Current Deputy Chief Dan Janickey was appointed as the next Vienna police chief, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Current Police Chief Jim Morris will retire at that time. Town Manager Mercury Payton made the announcement at Monday's Town Council meeting.

The town had conducted a nationwide search and evaluated candidates from the Town of Vienna, New York City, Virginia Beach, Texas and Washington state.

“All of the five candidates we interviewed were supremely qualified to serve as chief,” said Payton in a statement. “The vetting process was robust, and Dan’s 35 years of multifaceted law enforcement experience in Northern Virginia and his existing relationships with local, state and federal public safety agencies and regional coalitions make him the ideal candidate to serve as Vienna’s next police chief.”

Janickey has held the deputy police chief position since 2014, overseeing day-to-day operations of the Vienna Police Department. He has also managed community policing initiatives and implementing new technology.

Before joining the Vienna Police Department, Janickey worked for the Fairfax County Police Department from 1989 to 2013, with roles such as McLean commander, SWAT commander, hostage negotiator and internal affairs. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s international executive leadership program in Quantico, holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bluefield University in Virginia, a master’s degree in public administration from Liberty University in Virginia, and a certificate in executive leadership from American University in Washington, D.C.

"I'm very grateful and thankful for this opportunity," Janickey told Town Council. "I'm looking forward to it, fortunate to have been here for almost 12 years, worked alongside Jim Morris, current chief. He's been a great mentor for me."