Police Chief Tapped for Interim Town Manager

By KJ Mushung

Dumfries, Va. ––Dumfries Town Manager Kim Alexander, who is leaving to become the town manager for Culpeper, confirmed that Daniel Taber, chief of the Dumfries police department, is being considered as an interim town manager. The town council will vote on the matter Aug. 2.

Taber said that, if chosen, he will accept the position and Robert Forker, who is the police department’s administrative manager, will become interim police chief. Taber added that he expects the search for a permanent town manager to take about three months.

“If the board deems that I have the necessary qualifications, I would certainly look forward to filling that position with some enthusiasm,” said Taber in a telephone interview.

When asked if he wanted to become the town manager and leave the police department, he said that would be something he would have to think about and discuss with his family but that it’s too early to consider that prospect.

According to Alexander, the town manager manages the budget, manages and oversees departments in the town government and serves as a liaison between the departments and the town council.

“One of the biggest responsibilities of the town manager is the budget responsibility,” said Taber. “It’s the idea of coming up with a solid plan for the future and looking at the resources and assets that the town has and [tying] that in with the overall plan or vision. [Then] presenting that plan or vision to the elected officials, getting guidance from them and then moving forward based on what their response is.”

Taber, a former Prince William County police major, took the Dumfries police chief position in September 2010 after spending 37 years on the county’s force.