A longtime law enforcement member and resident of the Roanoke Valley has been selected to lead the Roanoke County Police Department in his new role as chief.
Richard Caywood, the County Administrator, made the announcement on Wednesday that Michael Poindexter will be taking over the chief’s badge on January 1.
Chief Howard Hall just announced his retirement, and Poindexter has been named to take his place. Since 2012, Hall has been serving as the head of police for the county.
Roanoke County’s police force was established in 1990, making Poindexter its fourth chief and first Black man in charge of the department.
Poindexter worked for the county department for a total of 28 years, during which time he rose through the ranks from police officer to sergeant to commander while accumulating expertise in a wide range of criminal justice positions.
