Urbana Announces Finalist in Police Chief Search

Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin announces the sole finalist for Chief of Police, Larry Boone, a 33-year law enforcement professional who retired as Chief of Police for the Norfolk, VA Police Department in 2022.

 Mr. Boone has experience in many operational and administrative positions in Norfolk, including patrol officer, special enforcement division/metro-tac officer, K-9 officer, internal affairs, detective, homeland security division, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and deputy chief. During his time at NPD, he was named Officer of the Year and nominated a second year, and won a medal of valor from the Virginia Police Work Dog Association. He was also awarded a distinguished service medal, received 34 commendation letters/awards, and was an FBI National Academy graduate. 

Additionally, Mr. Boone was recognized nationally in 2020 for building trust through community programs by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and subsequently recognized nationally and internationally for managing civil unrest in Norfolk following the killing of George Floyd. 

Mr. Boone holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University. He served as the police chief for the last six years of his tenure at NPD. 

The City hired executive recruitment firm Polihire in the summer of 2022 to conduct the months-long search, which included several community engagement initiatives to identify the qualities and experience the City’s stakeholders found to be most important in the next police chief. City staff interviewed several candidates referred by Polihire; Mr. Boone was selected from among those. 

“Law enforcement positions, across the board, are some of the most difficult to recruit for in today’s landscape. We are fortunate to have attracted a candidate who represents such a clear fit in both leadership and experience for our community,” Marlin said. 

The next steps in the selection process will include additional interviews this month with staff, city council, professional affiliates, and community partners.