Starting Saturday, Maj. Brad J. Rinehimer of the James City County Police Department will be acting chief of the department until a permanent hire is made for the position.
Current chief Emmett Harmon announced his retirement earlier this year. WYDaily spoke with Harmon in September regarding his lengthy career with the department — he was its first officer, hired in 1979 — and how the department has changed under his watch.
Rinehimer, who has been with the department since 1995, has served for seven years as the division commander for Community Services, Administrative Services, Colonial Community Corrections and Records.
The Community Services Division of the department includes school resource officers, crime prevention, citizen police academy, bike patrol, neighborhood watch and several other programs designed to emphasize community policing.
According to his bio on the police department’s website, Rinehimer has served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, community services officer, assistant SWAT team commander and community services lieutenant. He has also served as commander of both the uniform and investigations divisions of the department.
He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Professional Executive Development School and the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development School. He has a Master’s Degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati.
“Brad has experience in every Division, is an integral part of the Command Staff and has built collaborative relationships with the community and region overall. He’s the logical choice to lead the department during this transition,” said Assistant James City County Administrator Doug Powell in a news release announcing the move.
Rinehimer said in the release he is ready to lead the department.
“I will do my absolute best to lead the men and women of the County Police Department and continue to provide outstanding law enforcement services until a permanent Police Chief is named,” he said.
The James City County Police Department consists of more than 90 sworn law enforcement officers. They respond to approximately 20,000 calls for service each year across the county.
