Rebecca Jenkins selected as new Town of Stanley police chief

STANLEY, March 11 — After interviewing three candidates and going into closed session on Wednesday night, the Stanley Council voted to promote Captain Rebecca Jenkins to become the first female police chief in Page County. Chief Jenkins takes over for Ryan “Beaver” Dean, who held the post for a decade and retired at the end of February.

“The decision to retire after more than 31 years was a very tough decision,” Chief Dean stated. “I still enjoy what I do and the Town of Stanley and the Mayor and Town Council have been great to work with throughout the years. Anyone that has been around me knows that I enjoy talking, whether it be about law enforcement, hunting, family or anything else that may come up. I will definitely miss the job and most of all the good people and friends that I have met.”

On Monday, Nov. 10, the Luray Council came out of closed session to unanimously vote in favor of Dean becoming the newest member of the group. The retiring police chief attended his first Luray Council meeting in December and is filling the remainder of Councilman Alex White’s term, which extends through Dec. 31, 2026. White left the Council after relocating to attend Yale Law School.

“After retirement I plan to continue working. I’m not the type of person to sit around and not do anything,” Chief Dean said. “I will hopefully spend some much-needed time off at the Outer Banks, as well as concentrate more on the Luray Town Council position.”

During the Dec. 10 Stanley Council meeting, Chief Dean made a parting recommendation to Council members: Hire Captain Rebecca Jenkins as the next Police Chief of Stanley. He talked of the benefits of “promoting from within” and proclaimed his confidence in her ability to perform the duties of Chief.

“I recommended Rebecca for the Chief’s position because she and I have worked side by side for the past several years and there is no doubt that she has the ability and would be a perfect fit for the town,” Chief Dean told Page Valley News. “She is a very hard working and dedicated woman that will put in as many hours as it takes to make sure the job is done correctly. The officers at Stanley know and respects Rebecca. I feel that it would be a smooth transition.”

Chief Jenkins, who held the longest tenue with the Stanley Police Department at five years, according to Town Manager Terry Pettit, will begin her new role immediately.