Don Hayes To Serve As Acting Police Chief In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — City Manager Mark Jinks has appointed Assistant Chief Don Hayes as the acting chief of police. Hayes will assume the role on June 25, succeeding the retiring Police Chief Michael Brown.

"Chief Hayes’ 40 years of experience leading various aspects of the Alexandria Police Department and long-standing connection to the community make him the right choice for this Acting Police Chief role," said Jinks.

Hayes has been with the Alexandria Police Department since 1981. He achieved the rank of sergeant in 1996, overseeing the community-oriented policing and internal investigations sections. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1999 and led the special operations, information services, and public services divisions. With a promotion to captain in 2013, Hayes served as patrol commander and headed the parking enforcement, traffic, special events, and community relations divisions. He became an assistant chief in 2019 and has helped oversee all parts of the police department.

Hayes has lived in Alexandria for nearly 30 years and is active in various organizations on youth empowerment, diversion, and offender’s aid programs as well as serving as lead pastor of Oakland Baptist Church. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in divinity from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowie State University. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Hayes has numerous certifications, and is an active member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBI National Academy Associates.

The acting police chief will serve as the city conducts a search for a permanent police chief. The City of Alexandria will search for a new police chief using an executive search firm and seek input from community stakeholders. More details about the search process will be announced when available.