Lexington announces new police chief

LEXINGTON, Va. – Lexington has a new police chief. 

Samuel Roman Jr. will start work within the next month, the city manager announced on Thursday. Roman replaces Mark Riley, who has served as interim police chief since May 6, 2016.

Roman has 25 years of experience in Virginia law enforcement rising through the ranks of the Roanoke Police Department, most recently as the deputy chief.

Roman’s training includes the Command College (University of Virginia); the Professional Executive Leadership School (University of Richmond); Leadership Collaboration in Government (Harvard University); Lean Management for Executives (Virginia Polytechnic Institute); the Executive Command Leadership program; and the FBI National Academy.

A native of Brooklyn, Roman served in the United States Marine Corps. He began his career in public service with the Roanoke Police Department. Roman has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and he is a member of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.