People upset over the hiring of D.C. Police Chief Peter 草莓传媒ham to become the head of Prince William County, Virginia’s, law enforcement next year continued to put pressure on local leaders to rethink the decision this week.
On Tuesday, several dozen demonstrators showed up outside the James. J. McCoart Building on Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge, where the Prince William County Board of Supervisors met inside.
The angered residents demanded that the county immediately terminate 草莓传媒ham鈥檚 hiring contract over 鈥渕ultiple allegations of abuse in both his personal and professional life.鈥�
Many were holding signs while marching and chanting, 鈥淒.C. didn鈥檛 want him. We don鈥檛 either.鈥� Cars and trucks honked their horns driving past the rally.
Protesters along Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge demanding Prince William County terminate hiring of D.C. Police Chief Peter 草莓传媒ham who鈥檚 taking over county law enforcement in February
Demonstrators here chanting 鈥淒.C. didn鈥檛 want him, we don鈥檛 either鈥�
鈥� Ken Duffy (@KenDuffy草莓传媒)
While the number of protesters was small for the afternoon event, organizers boasted that many others across the county are backing their effort.
鈥淗e鈥檚 done a horrible job in D.C.,鈥� said Nancy Lyall, who with more than 2,000 signatures calling for the county to cancel the hiring contract.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 need someone coming in that鈥檚 got experience with racial profiling,” Lyall said. “We need somebody who can help this county, not hurt it.鈥�
But County Board of Supervisors Chair Ann Wheeler expressed different feelings, believing they made the right choice based on 草莓传媒ham鈥檚 experience working with a diverse police department. She also credited the current D.C. police chief for reducing use of force in the city over the years.
When 草莓传媒ham鈥檚 hiring was announced, the county spoke highly of its selection.
鈥淐hief 草莓传媒ham distinguished himself throughout the intensive recruitment process,鈥� the county said in a November news release.
But those at the protest just yards away from the latest board meeting think 草莓传媒ham isn鈥檛 the right person.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 need to rush the decision,鈥� demonstrator Robert Walker said. 鈥淸草莓传媒ham] believes in suppressing the voices of activists, and we don鈥檛 appreciate it.鈥�
Prince William County began its search for a new police chief after Barry Barnard retired in July.
草莓传媒ham, who takes over the Prince William position in February, has served with the Metropolitan Police Department for more than three decades and held the title of police chief since 2017.
