In the upcoming Tuesday meeting, the Purcellville Town Council will continue its deliberations on selecting and potentially appointing a new Chief of Police. Historically, communities have often followed the recommendations of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Continuing from a previous closed session held on September 23, where candidates were reviewed, the council is set to revisit discussions about the Chief of Police in another closed session on Tuesday, October 14.

After serving six months, Chief Barry Dufek retired on January 14, 2025, succeeding Cindy McAlister’s nine-year tenure as chief. Both were recognized for their dedication to community policing.

Sara Lombraña assumed the role of Interim Chief on February 3, 2025, and has encountered several challenges during her tenure. Concurrently, Interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser initiated an independent review of the police department with consultant Mr. Mike Jones. In an email to Mr. Jones, Vice Mayor Ben Nett expressed his intention to “emerge from the current turmoil affecting our department as the permanent Chief of Police.” Disclosures to Mr. Jones resulted in criminal bid rigging charges against both Fraser and Nett.

In April 2025, a surprising vote aimed to dissolve the Purcellville Police Department and reallocate its budget to the Utility Department, catching residents and some council members, including Interim Chief Lombraña, off guard. Two weeks later, the council reversed this decision and voted to fully fund the police department.

The search for a new chief began in spring 2025. During the September 23 meeting, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police updated the council on recruitment efforts, presenting their findings to the Town Council, Interim Town Manager Diana Hayes, Human Resources, and the Town Attorney.