New Alexandria Police Chief Unveils 100-Day Action Plan
Plan focuses on community and internal strengthening
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Alexandria’s new Chief of Police, Tarrick McGuire, is hitting the ground running with a bold vision for the future of public safety in the city. In a recent address on the Alexandria Police Department’s website, McGuire expressed his commitment to creating stronger community relationships, fostering officer well-being, and enhancing departmental efficiency through his 100-Day Action Plan.
Chief McGuire’s tenure began with strong community support, and his priorities reflect a deep commitment to service and collaboration. “I’m just very excited to be here,” McGuire said in an interview. “During my swearing-in ceremony, it was great to see support from the community. The Alexandria Police Foundation has been a key part of that, supporting initiatives like the youth outreach programs we saw at Target.”
His 100-Day Action Plan emphasizes four key areas: relationships, review, response, and reporting. Under the “Relationships” goal, McGuire has prioritized organizing internal and external listening sessions to better understand the historical challenges facing the department, as well as urgent matters requiring immediate attention. He has also set plans to engage with other public safety leaders in the Northern Virginia region, fostering regional collaboration on shared challenges.
During the interview for this profile, McGuire also spoke about the importance of community engagement. “Policing isn’t just about putting people in jail,” he remarked. “It’s about supporting the community, forging relationships. I’ve been very impressed with the outreach work some of our officers do, volunteering to coach troubled youth in schools, helping prevent truancy and troubled behavior.”
Another cornerstone of McGuire’s vision is fostering officer morale and mental health. “It’s very important to build the right policing culture,” he explained. “This also means focusing on the wellness of our officers, evaluating mental health, stress management, and support systems. Our officers need the tools and support to succeed, both in their professional and personal lives.”
His review section involves a comprehensive analysis of the department’s internal structure, including leadership positions, fiscal accountability, and critical processes like crime review. McGuire also intends to evaluate organizational wellness, aiming to create targeted programs to enhance officer satisfaction and retention.
Asked about his vision for the future, McGuire’s focus is clear. “I plan on being here for a while,” he said. “But it’s important for me to build for the next generation of leadership within the force.”
In addition to internal reforms, McGuire has emphasized transparency with the public.
“I want the media and the citizens to hold me and our officers accountable. To ask the hard questions. I want to hear their voices,” the chief said.
“I plan on making the most of town hall meetings,” he explained. “Our goal is to keep the community informed and engaged. We want to ensure that the public feels connected to the department and confident in our work.”
McGuire’s leadership style reflects a deep belief in collaboration and communication, both within the department and with the community. “We are proud to serve and protect the Alexandria community,” McGuire said. “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, and service.”
