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U.Va. Police Chief resigns

Tim Longo will replace former University Police Chief Tommye S. Sutton

<p>Sutton had been on paid leave since Sept. 19, with his resignation going into effect Sept. 27.</p>

Sutton had been on paid leave since Sept. 19, with his resignation going into effect Sept. 27.

The University announced the resignation of Police Chief Tommye S. Sutton Tuesday morning in a press release to the University community. Sutton had been on paid leave since Sept. 19, with his resignation going into effect Sept. 27. The reason for his leave and subsequent resignation remains unclear. 

Tim Longo has been named interim police chief for a 12-month term. Longo served as chief of police for the city of Charlottesville from 2001 through 2016. Since then, Longo has served as the program director for the Master of Public Safety at the University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

“We are very excited to have Tim step into this important role,” said J.J. Davis, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, in the press release. “Tim is a part of the Charlottesville community and the U.Va. family and his deep connections, vast experience and the respect everyone has for him will put the University Police Department in very capable hands as we look to the future.” 

McGregor McCance, assoc. vice president for communications, declined to comment on the situation surrounding Sutton’s resignation — citing a policy to not discuss personnel matters. McCance did, however, offer a commendation of Longo’s qualifications for his new role. 

“The University has the utmost confidence in Tim Longo to serve and lead us through this transition over the course of the next academic year,” McCance said in an email to The Cavalier Daily. “Chief Longo has a lengthy track record of success, has served on UVA’s SCPS faculty, teaches at the U.Va. Law School, and has a deep knowledge of U.Va. and the surrounding communities.”

“I am looking forward to working with the great team in place at the University and the committed, hard-working officers here at UPD, many of whom I’ve known for years,” Longo said in the press release.

This is a developing story.

Correction: This article previously stated the press release was sent out Monday morning. It was sent Tuesday morning, and has been updated to reflect the correct date.

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