Winter 2026 VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certifications Awarded
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The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) today recognized eight Virginia law enforcement executives with the designation of VACP Certified Law Enforcement Executive (VCLEE). We also re-certified six Certified Chief Executive Officers.
The VACP strives to promote the professional development and highest standards of executive and management level personnel of law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia. With that mission in mind, the VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certification Program encourages police executives to attain and maintain established benchmarks of accomplishment to achieve a recommended standard for police leadership within the state of Virginia.
Participation in the Certification Program is completely voluntary. Those who choose to seek VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certification do so to demonstrate to peers, supervisors, and their community that they have put in the extra effort to develop themselves not only as an experienced law enforcement professional, but also as a leader in their agency and in their community. Since February 2023, we've awarded 48 Chief Executive Certifications and 84 Command Executive Certifications.
There are two levels of law enforcement executive certification available for Virginia public safety leaders:
- Certified Chief Executive Officer – for the currently-appointed chief or commanding officer of a Virginia law enforcement agency.
- Certified Command Executive Officer – for a law enforcement command officer who serves in an executive or upper management position; or, for chiefs who do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for Certified Chief Executive.
Applicants must meet ALL eligibility requirements in the program for initial certification, which includes1 year of tenure in their eligible position, formal educational requirements, professional development training, and service on boards and committees. Certification is for 3 years, and participants must meet specific requirements during those 3 years in order to remain active in the program and re-certify.
Congratulations to the following law enforcement executives for achieving their certifications!
Certified February 2026
Chief Shaun D. Jones, VCLEE-CEO (Middleburg PD)
Chief Derek M. Weeks, VCLEE-CEO (Salem PD) *
Re-Certified February 2026
Chief Scott C. Booth, VCLEE-CEO (Roanoke PD)
Chief Eric D. English, VCLEE-CEO (Henrico County PD)
Chief Adam C. Linn, J.D., VCLEE-CEO (Occoquan PD)
Chief Stephen E. Keatts, VCLEE-CEO (Poquoson PD)
Chief David M. McCoy, VCLEE-CEO (UR PD)
Chief R. Garrett Shelton, VCLEE-CEO (ODU PD)
* -- Denotes upgrade from previous Command Executive Certification.
Certified February 2026
Captain Scott Johnathan Blystone, VCLEE-CO (Portsmouth PD)
Lt. Misty Dawn Holley, VCLEE-CO (Portsmouth PD)
Lt. Jeffrey L. Lange, VCLEE-CO (Herndon PD)
Captain Kent J. Mullen, VCLEE-CO (Hanover Co. SO)
Captain Matthew A. Puia, VCLEE-CO (Arlington Co. PD)
Lt. Colonel Michael B. Young, VCLEE-CO (Chesterfield Co. PD)
The VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certification Program is open for applications. For more information, see www.vachiefs.org/certification or contact Erin Schrad, VACP Director of Operations & Communications, at erin@vachiefs.org.