Jason West will be Rockville’s next police chief, effective immediately, City Manager Jeff Mihelich announced June 4.
West is a 25-year police veteran. He has been with the Rockville City Police Department for eight years, serving as acting chief since the resignation of Chief Victor V. Brito in October. West has also served Rockville as RCPD’s public information officer and has commanded patrol operations, the Special Operations Division and the Field Services Bureau.
“I am blessed to have been selected to lead the Rockville City Police Department into the future,” West said. “The sworn and professional staff of the RCPD are true professionals. Together, we will strive for excellence in our continued service to the City of Rockville.”
West began his career with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, where he retired as a lieutenant in 2017. As a corporal with FCSO, he served in the Criminal Investigations Section, conducting and supervising investigations of major crimes, including homicide, sexual assault, child abuse, robbery and arson. He assisted in creating and served as the operational supervisor of the Frederick County Fire Investigation Task Force. After being promoted to sergeant, he was transferred back to the Patrol Operations Division and supervised a patrol team. He was later promoted to lieutenant and served as operational commander of the Frederick High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and as a federal task force officer with Homeland Security Investigations, specializing in narcotics and human trafficking investigations.
During his tenure with Frederick County, he received various awards and commendations, including the National Sheriff’s Association Valor Award for saving the life of a fellow police officer.
West was hired after a national search. The city manager solicited input from community members about what they would like to see in Rockville’s next police chief via a survey and identified four finalists who were interviewed by community members, police command staff and the city’s executive leadership team.
West is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. He is an alumnus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg.
“We selected Interim Chief West to be the permanent police chief following a national search and an intensive interview process,” City Manager Jeff Mihelich said. “Under his leadership as the interim chief, he has transformed the department and proven his dedication to the profession and his ability to build trust with officers, professional staff, command staff, the city’s leadership team and the broader community. Chief West is a consummate professional with admirable leadership qualities, high integrity, empathy and compassion.”
The Rockville City Police Department is committed to protecting and serving the community through law enforcement, police services and education. The department strives for an open, working relationship with neighborhoods, schools and businesses to keep Rockville a safe and great place to live and work. RCPD is committed to providing effective, fair, impartial and unbiased community policing that serves the expectations of the law and everyone in the Rockville community. The department is committed to building and maintaining trust in partnership with the community.
To learn more about the Rockville City Police Department, visit rockvillemd.gov/police.