ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – A new Chief of Police has been named in Roanoke County.
On Wednesday, Roanoke County Administrator Richard L. Caywood, P. E. announced that Michael Poindexter will serve as the next Chief of Police effective Jan. 1, 2023.
“I’m humbled and honored to be chosen as the next police chief,” said Poindexter. “I get the opportunity to lead a fine group of young men and women at the police department who have worked diligently to serve the community.”
Poindexter has been serving as Assistant Chief of Police since April 2022, officials said. He has also been supervising the professional standards unit, the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy, Services Division, and Crime Prevention.
We’re told Poindexter has plenty of experience under his belt. Before this role, officials said he served 28 years as a Police Commander, Police Sergeant, and Police Officer. During that time, he gained knowledge in multiple different areas, including criminal investigations, administration, mentorship, and human resources.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bluefield College and has participated in over a dozen trainings relevant to the position. Poindexter will be the fourth person chosen to lead the Roanoke County Police Department, officials said.
“We have weathered the storms of the good and the bad as a department. And now I have accomplished this but i haven’t done it alone I have done it with the help of my coworkers, my family, and my friends,” Poindexter told 10 News.
Poindexter will follow Chief Howard Hall who served nearly 40 years in law enforcement, officials said. Hall announced his retirement in September.