A retirement party was recently held for former Arlington County Police Chief Douglas Scott. His last day on the job was March 20, after serving in his role for 12 years in the county. He was praised for his integrity, thoughtfulness, leadership and partnership.
Friends and colleagues from around the entire region joined in celebrating his retirement and recognizing his service; approximately 100 were in attendance. FBI Special Agent Tim Gallagher said, “Chief Scott has been a great partner to the FBI.” He further noted that Scott will be remembered for his longstanding and positive relationship over the years.
“Doug has been a leader. He is a leader among leaders,” Leesburg Police Chief Joe Price said. Price noted that Scott was able to connect with people, serve as a mentor and was someone who could take command in a room but never forget the men and women on the street.
Scott emphasized community policing and crime prevention during his tenure, and Capt. Franz Desamour of the Arlington County Police Department said, “It was the road he took us down.” Desamour thanked Scott for being a mentor, advocate and a role model.
Jim Bowden, chief of the Pentagon Protection Agency, described Scott as congenial and supportive and noted he was a member of the Northern Virginia Chief’s Association. “When he talks, people listen,” Bowden said.
Scott maintained an excellent working relationship with both the former and current county manager. Barbara Donellan, the current county manager, emphasized that it is critically important for a county manager to have the support of her chiefs in the public safety sector in order to be able to do her job effectively and survive. She said that she had that from Scott. “Doug is one of the finest leaders I know,” Donellan said.
Scott served as an executive board member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). He is also past president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and he serves on the Highway Safety Committee and teaches ethics and leadership.
In addition to his daily role leading the police department, Scott also found time to serve as an adjunct professor at Marymount University. In that capacity, he worked with students of all ages who were contemplating a career in law enforcement or another realm of the criminal justice system.
Karen L. Bune serves as an adjunct professor at Marymount University in Arlington. She is a criminal justice consultant, a nationally recognized speaker and a freelance writer.