Urbana Announces Police Chief Boone's Appointment

Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin announces that Larry Boone, a 33-year law enforcement professional, will become the City of Urbana’s next Chief of Police. The announcement comes after Boone’s appointment to the position was approved unanimously by the Urbana City Council. His current appointment lasts until June 30, 2025. 

 Boone retired as Chief of Police for the Norfolk, VA Police Department in 2022.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to be only a part of the meaningful change that’s going to occur here in Urbana – I won’t let you down,” Chief Boone said.

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 community members and stakeholders found to be most important in the next police chief. City staff interviewed several candidates referred by Polihire; Chief Boone was selected as a clear front-runner from among those. 

The City held two Town Hall meetings at the Vineyard Church on May 4, 2023 to give community members a chance to interact with Boone and participate in the selection process. Those meetings are available to view here. 

Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said, “We look forward to Chief Boone’s leadership, perspective, and commitment to moving forward together with the community.”   

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

Chief 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 Norfolk Police Department.