Alexandria Police Department Chief Michael Brown announced last week that he would be retiring at the end of the month, citing ongoing family issues. Brown’s retirement marks the end of the law official’s 45-year career, the last four of which were spent helming APD.
Brown leaves the department after a challenging year, as the city and nation have started to rethink the role police play in communities across the country in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. He also leaves a complicated legacy behind, with support for his focus on community-based policing and increased transparency in the APD and criticism for his approach to discipline.