New Hire Brings 27 Years of Experience in Law Enforcement
Victor Brito will be Rockville’s next police chief, City Manager Rob DiSpirito announced May 22.
Brito has more than 27 years in law enforcement, most recently as Hagerstown’s police chief.
Brito’s career included 25 years with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., retiring with the rank of captain. His service with the department included four-and-a-half years as the assistant district commander of the Seventh District, where he led a command of approximately 400 members. Before that, he commanded the department’s disciplinary review division, recruiting branch and the Metropolitan Police Academy, where he was responsible for entry-level and continuing education for sworn officers, officials and civilians.
His commands also included overseeing the Synchronized Operations Command Center, which gathered intelligence, coordinated field activities, and managed emergency and planned events across multiple jurisdictions in Washington; the department’s special investigations branch, which conducted all major citywide criminal investigations; and the special events branch, which oversaw all major events, including coordinating with the Secret Service on the protection of the president and vice president of the United States and foreign heads of state.
“I’m proud and honored to be part of the Rockville City Police Department and its commitment to community policing,” Brito said. “I love what I do and I am humbled and terribly excited to lead the fine men and women of Rockville’s police force.”
The city manager solicited input from community members about what they would like to see in Rockville’s next police chief via a survey that was available online and mailed to homes as part of the November 2017 issue of “Rockville Reports.” All police department employees were also polled, and community members served on the team interviewing candidates.
Brito earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in management/leadership and a master’s degree with honors in management/community development, both from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, teaching undergraduate criminal justice courses.
“I am eager to introduce Victor Brito as the City of Rockville’s police chief,” DiSpirito said. “His law enforcement experience, leadership skills and ability to relate to citizens and employees alike make him a strong choice to guide our police department forward in its commitment to community policing. I am confident that Mr. Brito will lead this department to further improve the high level of service that has made Rockville one of the most livable cities in the United States.”
Brito was selected after a long national search. Maj. Bob Rappoport has served admirably as Rockville’s acting police chief since the retirement of longtime chief Terrance N. Treschuk.
“We thank Maj. Rappoport for his service to Rockville,” DiSpirito said. “His experience and knowledge of Rockville have allowed the department to continue to serve our community well during this time of transition.”
Brito will start on June 18.
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.
To learn more about the Rockville City Police Department, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/police.