Former Police Chief Charlie Deane Receives Leadership Award

Former Prince William County Police Chief Charlie Deane received the The Police Executive Research Forum's highest honor, the Leadership Award, on May 3. 

PERF, a research organization made up of police executives from large law enforcement agencies, presented the award to Deane at their annual meeting in Milwaukee. They cited Deane's leadership during the "Beltway Sniper" case, the "East Coast Rapist" investigation, and as the Board of County Supervisors devised an immigration policy. 

"He truly cared for his employees and considered all members of the department as part of his extended family,” new Prince William County Chief Stephan Hudson said in a press release. “His personality made him approachable for all ranks, and his professional yet personable demeanor allowed staff to bring forward their ideas and encouraged innovation and problem-solving.”

Deane got his first job in law enforcement in 1965, working for Virginia State Police. He joined the Prince William County Police Department in 1970 and became police chief in 1988.