Pr. William officer to lead shelter and enforce animal welfare laws
Prince William County police have selected 18-year-veteran Sgt. Dawn M. Harman to head the Animal Control Bureau. In her new assignment, Harman will run the county’s 18-member animal control unit; she will retain her sworn officer status.
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Harman “is known for her longstanding commitment to animals, outstanding organization skills and tireless work ethic,” police Chief Charlie Deane said. She fills the position vacated by retiring Master Detective Sam Newsome.
For Harman, her new role will be a return to the early days of her law enforcement career. In 1991, she began her career with the Prince William County Police Department as a deputy animal warden, moving to become a police officer in 1994. Since then, she’s served as a crime prevention officer, a patrol squad supervisor and as the department’s accreditation manager.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary science from West Virginia University, which will come in handy as she works on behalf of the county’s animals.
The animal control bureau runs the county’s animal shelter and enforces animal welfare laws. Members investigate cruelty to animal complaints and quarantine animals that have bitten humans. They also remove stray dogs and livestock from streets and public areas.
Harman is expected to take over the bureau in January after she concludes overseeing the triennial re-accreditation process, which is scheduled to be done in December.
