City of Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes will be leaving Alexandria after 44 years for a federal position.
His last day serving Alexandria residents will be Feb. 9. Hays joined the Alexandria Police Department in 1981. His final promotions were to acting police chief in 2021 and police chief in 2022.
“It’s been an honor to dedicate my life to this community,” said Don Hayes. “I truly believe there is no greater calling than to serve on behalf of the people. Doing so alongside the men and women of this department for the past four decades has been my greatest accomplishment.”
Assistant Chief Raul Pedroso will serve as interim chief starting Feb. 10. Pedroso joined the Alexandria Police Department in 2023 after serving in the Coral Gables Police Department in Florida for 30 years.
“Chief Hayes has been a capable leader and committed public servant who genuinely cared about the department’s people and its relationship to our community,” City Manager James Parajon said. “He built upon years of experience to lead APD through some challenging times including ever-increasing demand for services. We wish him well in his next endeavor.”
