New Chief has 14 Years Experience
QUANTICO, Va. — Local officials and Quantico town residents gathered to swear-in the new Quantico Chief of Police, John P. Clair. The ceremony, held at the Quantico Virginia Railway Express Station, was swelling with excitement as the Town Council held a brief meeting.
Quantico Mayor Kevin Brown reflected on the town’s hardships in the past months surrounding the controversy with the former Quantico Chief of Police, who resigned from the position after an audit revealed internal theft.
“We’ve faced a lot of challenges in our time as a [Quantico Town] Council – some more serious than expected. Most of the focus in these past nine months has been internal, and I think we’ve made significant progress. I’ll be honest with you – it’s been a little overwhelming coming in while some things have been going on; overwhelming and a little discouraging. There were some serious issues in the Police Department that left us without a chief,” Brown said.
Hiring Clair as the new Chief of Police is Quantico’s effort to rebrand the town and start anew.
“He’s an experienced, decorated, law enforcement professional. I’m 100 percent convinced that he’s fully committed to the job and he’s willing to give one hundred and ten percent,” said Brown, remarking on Clair’s enforcement background and character. Clair, previously a law enforcement officer with the Prince William County Police Department, he comes to Quantico with fourteen years experience. He began his duties in the town on March 25.
Sworn in by a Clerk of the Circuit Court, Michelle McQuigg, Clair officially was appointed to his new position, before Reverend Jim Spurgeon performed the Benediction.
“I had a lot to say, but the Mayor stole all my thunder,” Clair first remarked after being sworn in, filling the room with laughter. “I appreciate all of the regional support. We’re the only town inside of a Marine base, and I think that makes what goes on here very special,” Clair said, thanking his wife, the Prince William County Police Department and Quantico officials.
Delegate Mark Dudenhefer, R- Stafford, Woodbridge, Dumfries Mayor Jerry Foreman and Prince William Potomac District Supervisor Maureen Caddigan were in attendance, in addition to several officers of the Prince William County Police Department and Quantico Marine Corps Base officers.
*This story has been revised
