Good news for Parker-Gray residents. We have a new Chief of Police, one who knows this community well and is highly-respected here in the neighborhood.
Yesterday, Alexandria City Manager James K. Hartmann announced the appointment of Acting Chief of Police Earl L. Cook as the new Chief of Police. He is a 30-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department and the first African-American in the City’s 260-year history to serve as the Chief of Police. Chief Cook, who is also a native Alexandrian, will be responsible for the administration of a 400-member police department. He replaces former Chief of Police David P. Baker, who resigned on July 28.
Chief Cook has spent his entire career as a member of the Alexandria Police Department. He began as a police academy recruit in January 1979. Upon graduation from the academy, he worked in patrol and criminal investigations until 1989. Over the next six years, he was promoted several times, advancing to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief. As assistant chief, he managed the criminal investigations bureau, and was named deputy chief in that role three years later. In 2006, he rose to the position of Deputy Executive Chief, serving as second in command; acting for the Police Chief in his absence; and providing significant direction on the police department’s policy and budget.
Chief Cook was born and raised in the City of Alexandria. He grew up on Princess Street and attended Lyles-Crouch Elementary School, Parker-Gray Middle School and George Washington High School through 10th grade. He transferred to T.C. Williams High School, after the school was integrated, and became a member of the historic Titans football team. After graduating from T. C. Williams in 1973, he attended Duke University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education. He currently resides in Alexandria and has three children and two grandchildren.
6 comments:
The new chief seems okay. I like that he is a native Alexandrian and that he rose up through the ranks of the APD.
But I'm very wary because the Post described him as a childhood friend of Bill Euille's. I hope our new Chief and Mr. Euille are not cut from the same mold because Mr. Euille has NOT been a friend to this neighborhood, in my opinion.
"But I'm very wary because the Post described him as a childhood friend of Bill Euille's."
Maybe like the Mayor Chief Cook is a product of public housing. Euille's problem is not his upbringing but his effectiveness as a decision maker. At the moment I believe the glass is half full and like Sotomayor Cook will be a positive role model for others. Given his background in criminal investigations let's start by asking him for an update of the Pendleton Park murder. If his answer is no answer then the glass may be half empty.
Regardless of where he grew up, the man's been a cop for years so he recognizes a thug when he sees one. Living in PG, I'd rather have someone like that in charge of my police department than some opportunistic politician. I wish him luck.
"He is a 30-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department and the first African-American in the City’s 260-year history to serve as the Chief of Police."
As an elderly resident I remember a man named Tyson to be the city's first black Chief of Police. He came from the Carolinas accepted the job then left because he developed a dislike for the city. I think you will find I'm right.
There are pros and cons of hiring from within instead of bring in an outsider, but I think the police have been doing a great job in our city so I expect it to continue under his watch. It's not the police department that negatively affects our neighborhood, it's a lot of the others.
Integrity. The man attended Duke University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education. During that time period, he probably could have written his own ticket and went on to do countless things. He choose to come back to his home town to be a police officer. That says a lot to me.
I saw on the news that he said he was from a family with lots of siblings. He also mentioned that he did grow up in public housing in the Samuel Madden Community (Berg). He is not an elected politician, he is an appointed employee, so his views on Public Housing won't really matter since City Council are the ones responsible for the current state of affairs.
I too am glad he is a native of the City, who obviously cared enough about it to make an entire career here. A well spoken man, with good morales and integrity is exactly the type of role model that the children in public housing needs.
Best of luck to you Sir, we hope you continue on with the aggressive police tactics we have seen within the last few years.
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