In advance of the Purcellville Town Council meeting scheduled for April 22, 2025, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman has issued a media release addressing the proposed dissolution of the Town’s Police Department and the transition to services provided by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Sheriff Chapman stated that he has neither been consulted about this plan nor does he agree with the representations made in the document included in the Council meeting packet.
The document outlines the Council’s desire to eliminate its Police Department and rely exclusively on the LCSO for law enforcement services, citing examples from jurisdictions in California and South Carolina that have undergone similar changes. The Sheriff’s media release highlights several claims made in the document, including the intention to negotiate a “contract” to retain a dedicated team of LCSO deputies in Purcellville, ensure 24/7 overlapping coverage with a minimum of eight deputies, maintain a physical presence within the Town, and establish a formal agreement outlining response times, patrol frequency, and community policing duties.
Sheriff Chapman emphasized the lack of consultation, saying, “Unfortunately, nothing in the published document has been discussed with me or the LCSO’s Leadership Team.” He further stated, “While the LCSO is willing to provide law enforcement support and services to the Town of Purcellville, the Town Council has no jurisdiction to place conditions or requirements on the LCSO should its Police Department be dissolved.”
The Sheriff’s Office has made it clear that the coverage provided by the LCSO would align with the services offered to other incorporated towns in Loudoun County without police departments, including Hamilton, Hillsboro, Lovettsville, and Round Hill. “The LCSO works closely with all town governments in Loudoun County to provide excellent service but does not answer to or have formal agreements with any town without its own police department,” Chapman explained.
Transitioning to LCSO services would require significant time and effort, encompassing considerations such as personnel records, ongoing investigations, and the transfer of evidence. Sheriff Chapman noted, “Any transition in Purcellville would require a significant period of time to accomplish.”
Town Council member Caleb Stought, who opposes the initiative to dissolve the Police Department, expressed his concerns by stating, “The LCSO statement regarding the effort to disband PPD is yet further evidence that this initiative by Mayor Bertaut and his council majority is an unserious, ill-thought out, and rushed proposal. It is clear that this proposal is not founded in professional guidance and has been written secretly behind closed doors without consultation with the public and key stakeholders. It would be wildly irresponsible to push this plan forward at this time. If our town council chooses to move forward with this plan tomorrow, it would constitute an inept failure to faithfully discharge their duties as elected officials.”
The LCSO is focused on maintaining a transparent dialogue with the Mayor, Town Council, and residents of Purcellville to address expectations and evaluate the implications of dissolving the Police Department. Sheriff Chapman stated, “We are committed to having a transparent conversation about our role and how we can best serve the needs of the community.”
The Town Council meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2025, at 6 PM, at Purcellville Town Hall, located at 221 S Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia. This meeting will provide residents, community members, and business owners the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns during the session.
For more information, you can view the Sheriff’s Office media release here (https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=9785).