Carl Pardiny Named City of Fairfax Police Chief

Release: City officials have announced the selection of Carl Pardiny as police chief of the City of Fairfax Police Department. Pardiny, who has been the city’s deputy police chief since 2011, will lead the police department, effective immediately.

Pardiny, who began as a city patrol officer in 1988 and rose through the ranks, was instrumental in the creation of many innovative programs, including the community bicycle patrol program and the city’s police canine program. He also initiated and developed the department’s first “evidence-based” community policing projects. His experience in the city’s police department is extensive, from firearms facility administration to employee training oversight, from helping achieve national accreditation to leading the department’s internal affairs investigation team.

The new police chief earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University.  He graduated from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in 1989, and also attended the FBI National Academy and the University of Richmond Professional Executive Leadership School.

On selecting Pardiny as police chief, City Manager Robert Sisson said, “Carl Pardiny’s knowledge, innovative approach, dedication and leadership will help the city’s police department continue to excel in their delivery of services to the community.”

Pardiny replaces Richard Rappoport, who retired from the city in May and now serves as Amtrak’s deputy chief for the mid-Atlantic and southeast region.