FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2021
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Charlottesville City Manager Chip Boyles announces that Latroy "Tito" Durrette will manage the day to day operations of the Charlottesville Police Department as Assistant Chief while the City commences a national search for its next Police Chief.
As part of the current transition, Durrette has been promoted to the rank of Major and named Assistant Chief.
Assistant Chief James Mooney returned from retirement last month to assist with the Charlottesville Police Department’s leadership transition after Mr. Boyles announced the termination of Chief RaShall Brackney’s employment contract on September 1, 2021. She remains on paid administrative leave until November 30, 2021. Mooney completed his temporary assignment effective October 8, 2021.
“I want to thank James Mooney for assisting with the ongoing transition and Major Durrette for stepping up to this challenge,” said Boyles. “I am very confident that he is committed and prepared to help keep the department moving in a positive direction.”
As Captain, Durrette previously served as the commander of the Support Services Division.
“I am humbled to have this opportunity,” said Durrette. “I want to focus on the dedicated men and women of this department. It will take everyone – in the community and in the department – to accomplish the goal of continuing to move policing forward in Charlottesville.”
Major Durrette started with the Charlottesville Police Department as a Police Explorer at age 16, before was hired as a Community Service Officer. He was later assigned to work in city parks during the summer before starting full-time work.
When Major Durrette graduated from the academy at age 21, he was the youngest officer hired in the department's history and was the 25th Black officer hired in the department's history.
When Major Durrette was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, once again making department history, he was one of only two Black lieutenants to ever serve the CPD. As a lieutenant, Major Durrette was responsible for the daily operation of daylight shift before being transferred to the Community Support Bureau where he led the department's School Resource Unit and Traffic Unit.
James Mooney (left) and Tito Durrette (right) at their promotion ceremony to the rank of Captain in January 2019.
Media Contact
Brian Wheeler
Director of Communications
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3129
wheelerb@charlottesville.gov
