Roanoke County officials say extensive command experience and recognized expertise in what’s called “data-driven policing” are two big reasons they chose Howard Hall as the next Chief of Police. Hall spent 25 years with the Baltimore County, Maryland Police Department. He will be sworn in as Roanoke County’s third-ever chief August 13th. Hall spoke with WFIR’s Evan Jones.
(Continue reading for the full Roanoke County News Release)
ROANOKE COUNTY, VA (July 24, 2012) – At a morning press conference in the Roanoke County Public Safety Center on Cove Road, County Administrator Clay Goodman named Howard B. Hall the next Chief of the Roanoke County Police Department. Hall, 47, will begin serving as Chief of Police on August 13.
Roanoke County conducted a nationwide search to fill the Chief of Police position. Hall, who was selected from a pool of 65 applicants, received the approval of an interview committee led by the County Administrator. “We are extremely pleased to make this announcement,” said Goodman, adding, “Howard’s years of experience in a leadership capacity with a large suburban agency coupled with his education and personality were impressive. We are confident he is the right person for this highly visible and important job.”
Hall comes to Roanoke County after 25 years of service with the Baltimore County Police Department. Baltimore County, MD, is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, with a population exceeding 800,000 and a land mass more than twice the size of Roanoke County. He joined the Baltimore County Police Department in 1986 upon graduation from the University of Maryland, where he received a B.A. in Government and Politics. He spent 20 years with the department as a commander and gained experience in the areas of patrol, traffic, special operations, training, administration, accreditation compliance, and human resources.
In addition to receiving a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore in 1995, Hall attended the F.B.I National Academy and holds a Graduate Certificate in Police Administration. During his career, Hall had the opportunity to manage critical incidents and large events, as well as assignments which included providing security for both the President and the Pope. In addition to his work in Baltimore County, Hall is also a certified instructor and nationally recognized expert in data-driven policing – where data and analysis are used to guide police operations and solve issues. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and serves on the organization’s Highway Safety Committee.
Hall says his first priority will be meeting the staff and learning about the department’s operations, community, and challenges. “I am approaching my new position with only one preconceived notion: That the overwhelming majority of things being done in the Roanoke County Police Department are positive and our responsibilities are being carried out by dedicated employees. After I start, we’ll spend more time talking about my approach to policing and our future.”
Hall is only the third person to lead the Roanoke County Police Department since it was formed in 1990. As Chief of the department, Hall will direct the activities of the Police Department, which consists of approximately 155 employees, of which 140 are sworn law enforcement officers. He will earn an annual salary of $115,000.
Hall has been married for 25 years. He and his wife have one son, who is entering his senior year at the University of Maryland.
