Arlington selects longtime Maryland cop to be its next police chief

The city of Arlington has selected a top Maryland cop to lead its police department.

Col. Al Jones of the Baltimore County Police Department will take over as Arlington’s police chief in January, the department announced Monday.

Jones was one of 74 applicants to replace Will Johnson, who retired from the Arlington Police Department in June after 23 years, seven of them as chief. Johnson is now chief of police for BNSF Railway.

Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton, who appointed the new chief, said that Jones stood out during the selection process because of his experience with community-based policing.

“We have identified a leader who can continue ensuring excellent service to our residents and move our city positively forward,” Yelverton said. “In the true spirit of community policing, I know that our whole community will come together and support Chief Jones and our police department in keeping our community safe.”

Jones has been with the Baltimore County police, the nation’s 18th-largest law-enforcement agency, since he began his law-enforcement career in 1995. He has most recently overseen that department’s community-relations bureau.

He said in a written statement that he believes in looking to data to find effective policing solutions, as well as building relationships between police and the communities they serve.

“Officers can’t be everywhere, which is why it is vitally important for the community to be engaged and help serve as our eyes and ears,” Jones said. “Neighborhood involvement with the police department creates not only a safer community, but a stronger community.”

A public event to welcome Jones will be held when he begins his new job Jan. 11.

Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye will remain interim chief until then.