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    Information released regarding the Aug. 1 police-involved shooting on Bromley Court in Woodbridge Read More

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    Information released regarding the Aug. 1 police-involved shooting on Bromley Court in Woodbridge Read More

A Message from the Chief

CONTACT THE CHIEF OF POLICE

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5036 Davis Ford Road,
Woodbridge, VA 22192
phone
(703) 792-6650
Mon.-Fri. | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

 

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Police Chief Peter Newsham

Colonel Peter Newsham is the Chief of Police and serves as the commanding officer of the Prince William County Police Department. Chief Newsham is responsible for the planning and direction of all Department activities, guiding our members in providing the highest quality of professional police service to our community, and is the final authority on all matters of policy, operations, and discipline.

The mission of the Prince William County Police Department is to effectively and impartially enforce the law while serving and protecting our community. The dedicated members of this Department accomplish our mission through integrity, honesty, and equality in the delivery of all police services. Through our accomplishments in embodying our values in both our professional and personal lives, we build cooperation and strengthen trust within our community

We are committed to a shared responsibility of accountability, transparency, and respect.

BIOGRAPHY

Chief Newsham was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and grew up in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the College of Holy Cross, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He has attended numerous police executive trainings and seminars and was actively involved in the Major Cities Chief’s Association and the Police Executive Research Forum. Additionally, he has attended the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) training on Law and Society, and the ADL’s National Counter-Terrorism Seminar in Israel.

In 1989, Chief Newsham joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., where he served in a number of operational assignments and leadership positions before being named Chief of Police in 2016. Prior to his appointment to Chief of Police with the agency, Chief Newsham served as Assistant Chief of Police Investigative Services Bureau, Assistant Chief of Police Internal Affairs Bureau, Assistant Chief of Police Regional Operations Command North, Assistant Chief of Police Office of Professional Responsibility, and District Commander. Newsham retired from the Metropolitan Police Department in January 2021.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors announced Chief Newsham as the new Police Chief for Prince William County in November 2020 following a nationwide search. Newsham was sworn in as Chief of Police on February 1, 2021.


To reach the Chief of Police, please contact the Office of the Chief by calling (703) 792-6650 or email.