Peter Newsham is the County’s Fifth Police Chief

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.

In 1989, Chief Newsham joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. He was named police chief there in 2016 and retired from that department in January 2021. Newsham is the fifth police chief of the Prince William department, since its inception in 1970.

"I believe and fully expect Chief Newsham will build on the long tradition that we have here in Prince William County," County Executive Christopher Martino said, adding, "a very strong Prince William County police force, a culture that's been developed over the four prior chiefs and many people that have come through our police force."

"To the residents of Prince William County, we cannot be successful without you," Chief Newsham said. "I'm looking forward to meeting you, and I pledge to you to work every day to continue developing the trust that is essential for us to be successful in our profession."