After months of anticipation, the Town Council has selected
Captain Thomas Carter to serve as the next Chief of Police.
Captain Carter currently serves as the Operations Captain at the Petersburg Bureau of Police (PBP) in Petersburg, Virginia.
Born in Danville, Virginia, he later moved to Chesterfield County, Virginia. He joined PBP in 2010, starting as a patrolman. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, serving as the Operations Services Division Commander. In this role, he oversees the Patrol Services, Northwest, and Southeast Precincts, which includes wards one through seven in the City of Petersburg. His career progression at PBP, from a patrolman to a division commander, is a testament to his leadership, resiliency, and commitment to maintaining public safety.
Mayor Roy M. Gladding stated, “We are excited to have Captain Carter as our next Chief of Police. We look forward to seeing him lead the Police Department into the future. On behalf of the Town of Tappahannock we welcome him to our community.” Town Manager Eric S. Pollitt reiterated his support for the new chief “I look forward to bringing him on board and joining our team here in Tappahannock. He will be an excellent addition to our team.” A start date has not been determined yet, but he is expected to start in early June.
Town Manager Pollitt thanked the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) for their assistance in the hiring process, “The VACP helped us out tremendously by helping organize the first round of interviews with the Town Council and Chiefs Law Enforcement Panel.” Town Manager Pollitt thanked Interim Chief Panebianco as well, “A.J. has been key to ensuring both stability in the department and a smooth transition to the new Chief. We cannot thank him enough.”
Thomas Carter’s commitment to the police organization extends beyond his professional duties. He has built positive workplace relationships and championed the importance of transformational leadership. His advocacy for diversity, training, community policing, health and wellness, and education underscores his commitment to serving the community. He strongly believes in building trust within the community, promoting police legitimacy, and upholding professionalism, values that are integral to his approach to law enforcement.
Carter’s hard work and steadfastness have earned him several unit citations and achievement awards. In 2022, after completing a series of leadership courses focusing on supervisory, command, and executive-level leadership, he was the proud recipient of the Trilogy Award from FBI-LEEDA. He is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers (N.O.B.L.E.) and FBI-LEEDA, Inc. He serves as the president of the Distinguished Gents Men’s Organization, which focuses on changing men’s mindsets, skill sets, and tool sets to become better leaders in the community.
Carter is a doctoral candidate studying Criminal Justice, Ph.D., at Liberty University. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Liberty University, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College, and an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree from Bright Point Community College. His educational background and professional affiliations underscore his expertise and credibility in law enforcement
