The Town of Herndon announced on Wednesday morning that it was appointed Maggie A. DeBoard as its new Chief of Police.

DeBoard will start her new assignment on Monday, March 5. She comes to Herndon from her last position as Fairfax County Police Department’s deputy chief, investigations and operations support. She served on the FCPD for more than 25 years.

She also served as commander of the county’s helicopter division, commander of the special operations division, captain of the Franconia district station and major of the division II patrol bureau. She started working with the county in 1986 as a patrol officer.

DeBoard has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from George Mason University and graduated from the FBI’s National Academy, the Virginia Tech Institute for Leadership in Changing Times, the WestPoint Leadership course and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organization course.

She has an extensive background in community policing, training, officer safety, leadership and experience collaborating with other law enforcement agencies. She has also served as president of the Fairfax-based Police Unity Tour. The nonprofit raises awareness of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Additionally, she is involved in fundraising for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C.

“Maggie DeBoard brings exceptional leadership skills and law enforcement expertise to the Herndon Police Department,” said Anselene.  “She has an outstanding track record of engaging both residential and business communities in public safety initiatives. I am delighted to welcome her to this leadership position within the town’s management team.”

The Herndon Police Department is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and is state accredited through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. There are 57 sworn officers and 15 support personnel in the department. Herndon’s last Chief of Police, Colonel Toussaint E. Summers, Jr., retired in November 2011.