Virginia Beach hires new police chief, who shares Cincinnati ties with new city manager

Virginia Beach — For the first time in 39 years, the city has hired an external candidate to lead the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Paul Neudigate, an assistant chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, will become Virginia Beach’s police chief, the city announced on Monday.

Patrick Duhaney, Virginia Beach’s new city manager, picked Neudigate, with whom he had previously worked while city manager in Cincinnati. Duhaney said several local law enforcement executives were on the interview panels and Neudigate was selected by a consensus.

He will begin overseeing the department’s 1,051 employees — about 800 sworn officers — on Oct. 14. He will earn an annual salary of $165,000, said Julie Hill, a spokesperson for the city.

In a video message, Neudigate said he intends to travel to Virginia Beach within the next 30 days to begin meeting staff and getting to know the area.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be selected as next police chief for the City of Virginia Beach," Neudigate said in a statement. "The police department is well-regarded nationally and I know that comes from strong leadership, principled officers and experienced support staff who make it their mission to serve the community effectively and professionally.”

Duhaney said Neudigate has 30 years of experience working for the Cincinnati Police Department. He currently “commands the patrol bureau, which includes 800 sworn officers plus professional staff,” the city said. Duhaney said under Neudigate’s leadership, shootings in Cincinnati declined significantly. He also said the resort city will appreciate his experience overseeing public safety operations for major events, including major festivals and NFL games.

“Paul is a consummate professional whose experience, community orientation, emotional intelligence and progressive policing philosophy made him the right choice to lead the Virginia Beach Police Department,” Duhaney said. “... I am confident he will serve the VBPD and this community as effectively as he has served Cincinnati."

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Last year, Neudigate was among the top five candidates to become the Columbus police chief, but he was not selected for the role, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The past few police chiefs in Virginia Beach have held the job for a decade or more. Charles Wall was the last police chief hired from outside of the area, in 1981, and he held the position for 18 years.

Former Police Chief Jim Cervera left the role in April after he was forced by law to retire when he reached the age of 65. Virginia Beach Deputy Police Chief Anthony “Tony” Zucaro, who plans to retire, will continue as acting chief until Neudigate officially starts.

The city delayed hiring a chief until Duhaney became city manager in July.

Neudigate is taking over the department at a critical time, said Brian Luciano, president of the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association. The department is facing significant issues with morale, retention and recruitment, and police officers want better pay and benefits, Luciano said. He said the unionized employees are excited to get to know him, and hope he will be open to listening to them, and fixing longstanding issues.

“The new chief deserved every opportunity to come in here and do the best he can to fix the problems we have,” Luciano said. “I hope he brings fresh ideas and fresh solutions, and I hope that he puts the officer first when he has to make a decision.”

Alissa Skelton, 757-995-9043, alissa.skelton@pilotonline.com.