CMPD deputy chief named head of Virginia police department

RICHMOND, Va. — Deputy Chief Gerald Smith of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has been named the Richmond Police Department’s new chief, according to their mayor’s office.

Mayor Stoney appoints Deputy Chief Gerald Smith of Charlotte-Mecklenburg as chief of @RichmondPolice
"Deputy Chief Gerald Smith is who Richmond needs right now- a reform-minded leader with deep experience in community policing and de-escalation."
Release: https://t.co/tNXAcNjovh pic.twitter.com/LHNHjBa4Hs
— City of Richmond, VA (@CityRichmondVA) June 27, 2020

WRIC reported Interim Richmond Police Chief William “Jody” Blackwell announced his resignation in an email to Richmond police officers Friday. He had been on the job for 11 days.

Blackwell has asked to return to his former position of major, the mayor’s office said. He will continue serving as interim chief until July 1 and then Smith will take over.

“Deputy Chief Gerald Smith is who Richmond needs right now – a reform-minded leader with deep experience in community policing and de-escalation,” said Mayor Stoney.

The news of Blackwell's exit as Richmond's interim police chief comes 10 days after Mayor @LevarStoney announced he asked previous police chief William Smith to resign, and noted Blackwell's appointment. @8NEWS https://t.co/26Z58vfLfY
— Ben Dennis 8News (@broadcastben_) June 26, 2020

He began at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 1991 as a community police officer and eventually rose to the role of deputy chief.

“I am grateful for Interim Chief Blackwell’s continued service to the Richmond Police Department,” said Mayor Stoney. “Since the departure of former Chief William Smith, we have been searching for a permanent chief. I’m excited for Gerald Smith, a proven change-agent, to serve Richmond in that capacity.”