Fairfax County — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Police Chief Dave Rohrer as deputy county executive for public safety. He’ll begin his new job Oct. 20.
This action, explained County Executive Ed Long in a Sept. 25 memo to all county personnel, will dedicate this newly created position exclusively to public safety. It will also free up Deputy County Executive Rob Stalzer — who currently oversees public safety, in addition to his other duties — “to focus on planning, development and transportation functions.”Some of the major issues in these areas impacting the county include Dulles Rail; transportation funding; Tysons redevelopment; BRAC; regional water systems; and the redevelopments of Springfield Mall, Bailey’s Crossroads and Merrifield Town Center.
Rohrer will be responsible for the county’s public-safety programs and will oversee the police and fire departments, Office of Emergency Management and Department of Public Safety Communications. He’ll also have a liaison relationship with the Sheriff’s Office and the courts.
Long said this new position will also “prioritize public safety resources for the county’s 1.1 million residents, while serving the county’s long-term growth and development needs. A dedicated deputy county executive for public safety is better able to quickly respond to events as they occur and to coordinate regional preparedness in advance.”
This appointment completes Long’s leadership team, which includes the deputy county executives, CFO, assistant county executives and directors of human resources and public affairs. “We will work together in the months and years ahead to address our continuing challenges and continue the culture of excellence for which Fairfax County Government is so well known,” said Long.
Rohrer is a longtime county employee who’s served nearly 32 years as a sworn police officer. His career here includes 13 years as a senior commander and eight years as the county’s police chief; he’s held that post since 2004.
He’s also served as deputy chief for investigations and operations support; Patrol Bureau commander; Special Operations Division and district commander; SWAT first-line supervisor and first-line patrol supervisor.
Rohrer holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from GMU. His annual salary will be $191,168.
— Bonnie Hobbs