Next in line to be Prince William's police chief implemented immigration enforcement policy
Examiner Staff Writer
November 8, 2009
Prince William County police say they've promoted a key leader in the department's implementation of its illegal immigration enforcement policy to be next in line for police chief.
With current chief Charlie Deane planning to retire within the next few years, the department has promoted Maj. Barry Barnard to deputy police chief as "part of the department's deliberate succession plan," police spokeswoman Sharon said.
Barnard began his career in Alexandria 33 years ago. Before leaving for Prince William County in June 1976, Barnard was an undercover officer posing as a student in an Alexandria high school, the Richardson said.
Most recently, he served as the Prince William County Assistant Chief of Operations developing and implementing programs such as the Citizen Police Academy and a county-wide law that makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 17 to be out between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. He also oversaw the purchase of a $20 million mobile communication system.
But he's best known for implementing the county's immigration policy. Launched in early 2008, the immigration policy allowed county police officers to question an arrested suspect's immigration status if they had probably cause to do so.
The position of deputy police chief has not been filled since Deane vacated it in 1993 when he rose to police chief.
The decision to promote Barnard now is designed to give Barnard the experience he'll need to be police chief so when it come time for Deane to retire there will be "experienced and qualified staff to move up the ranks," Richardson said.
