Vienna Gets New Police Chief

Vienna will have a new police chief next month.

The town announced Tuesday that James "Jim" Morris, a 24-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department, has been selected as the new leader of the Vienna Police Department.

He'll assume duties March 25 with a salary of $146,331, the town said in a statement.

Morris will replace former Chief Bob Carlisle, who served as chief for nearly 12 years before stepping down Jan. 1.

Carlisle was also hired from the Fairfax County Police Department.

Morris, who was selected from 108 candidates for the job, stood out from the application pool "as a strong leader with high integrity," one who had "many years of experience as a high level local law enforcement official in the region" and a "desire to work intimately with the community," Town Manager Mercury Payton said in a statement.

“He is a highly regarded and respected member of the law enforcement community and is going to be a great addition to Vienna," Payton said.            

Morris is currently FCPD's Acting Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Investigations and Operations. 

During his career in the Fairfax department, he's also served as Deputy Chief of Administration, Commander of the Internal Affairs Bureau, station commander, shift supervisor at the County’s 911 Center, patrol sergeant and police officer, along with a school liaison commander with the Fairfax County Public Schools system, according to a biography made available by the town.

Morris' jump is one of many across Northern Virginia jurisdictions in recent months: former Fairfax County Police Chief Dave Rohrer left his spot to become Deputy County Executive — overseeing the police department, fire and rescue department, office of emergency management and department of public safety communications — in October.

Morris was appointed to take his place days later.

Carlisle announced his plans to retire in November and stepped down in January

It's not immediately clear what Morris' departure means for the Fairfax County Police Department.

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