CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
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RaShall M. Brackney will be sworn in by Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk Llezelle Dugger as Charlottesville's next Chief of Police on Monday, June 18 at 1 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
The media is invited to cover the ceremony which will also be broadcast live on the
City's Facebook page.
Charlottesville City Council approved Chief Brackney's appointment as recommended by City Manager Maurice Jones on Monday, May 21, 2018. Chief Brackney will succeed Thierry Dupuis who served as Charlottesville’s interim Police Chief during January-May, 2018.
Background provided in
May 15, 2018 media release
Chief Brackney is a retired 30-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the former Chief of Police of the George Washington University. During her tenure as a law enforcement professional, she has been responsible for overseeing critical operations to include Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, CALEA accreditation, Special Deployment Operations including SWAT, Mounted Patrol, Accident Investigation, Hostage Negotiations, River Rescue, Special Events, Traffic Division, Tow Pound and the “Bomb” Squad, the training Academy, Patrol Operations and Major Crimes.
“Chief Brackney will bring over three decades of law enforcement experience to our police department,” said Mr. Jones. “During her time in Pittsburgh she was deeply committed to building strong relationships between the residents and the police officers who serve and protect them. Chief Brackney is very mindful of the expectations of modern police departments and I’m confident she will work diligently to ensure the men and women of the Charlottesville Police Department continue to live up to those high standards.”
“I am extremely honored to be recommended as the next Chief of Police for the City of Charlottesville,” said Brackney. “I believe the Charlottesville Police Department is uniquely positioned to contribute to the national narrative for policing and social justice, and I look forward to serving the community with both compassion and integrity.”
Chief Brackney has continued to serve her communities and is an Executive Board member for the Homewood Children’s Village (HCV). Additionally, she has served on Executive and Leadership Boards for Operation Better Block (OBB), The Heinz Endowments: African-American Men and Boys Initiative, Amachi Pittsburgh, A Giving Heart, Manchester Academic Charter School and the Alliance for Police Accountability.
Chief Brackney earned BS (2009) and Masters (2011) degrees from Carnegie-Mellon University and a Ph.D. (2017) from Robert Morris University. Additionally, she has earned numerous professional certificates from Penn State University, The University of Delaware, The Command Institute for Police Executives and the Police Executive Research Forum. Chief Brackney is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia; the United States Secret Service Dignitary Protection course in Washington, D.C.; Redstone Arsenal “Bomb School” for managers in Huntsville, Alabama; and, Leadership Pittsburgh XIX.
Awards received by Chief Brackney include:
- 50 Women of Excellence Award, New Pittsburgh Courier, 2014
- Community Peace Keeper of the Year Award, Northside Coalition for Fair Housing, 2014
- Community Police Officer of the Year Award, Alliance for Police Accountability, 2013
- Otto Davis Award for Social & Racial Justice, Carnegie Mellon University, 2011
Chief Brackney will begin work with the City of Charlottesville on June 18, 2018.
