He was formerly assistant chief for Alexandria City.
As of Aug. 11, Fairfax City’s Fairfax Police Department will have a new person at the helm. Following the City’s nationwide search, Raul Pedroso will become its new chief of police. Already familiar with Northern Virginia, he’s coming here from a leadership role with Alexandria City police.
“Being selected to lead the City of Fairfax Police Department is a great honor,” said Pedroso. “I am excited to get to know agency staff and to meet the City’s residents and business owners. I look forward to continuing the department’s tradition of excellent community service.”
Fairfax’s former chief, Erin Schaible, came to the City with 28 years’ experience as a police officer in Fairfax County, retiring there as a lieutenant colonel in December 2019. A few months later, in February 2020, she took over as Fairfax City’s new police chief – the first woman in the City’s history to hold that position. After nearly five years here, she retired again on Jan. 3. Since then, Capt. Natalie Hinesley has served as acting police chief.
According to Fairfax City’s July 24 press release about Pedroso’s hiring, Fairfax’s “low crime rate, strong relationship with residents and professional police force” drew many qualified candidates to apply for the job.
“The pool of applicants was very deep, and we conducted a robust review and selection process, said City Manager Bryan Foster. “Raul rose to the top and was selected for his leadership qualities, infectious energy and commitment to fairness and transparency.”
Pedroso began his law-enforcement career in Coral Gables, Fla., working his way up through the ranks. He started as a patrol officer before serving in and leading all the major areas of policing, including uniform patrol, criminal investigations and professional standards. To date, his career spans 32 years, including 19 at the executive and senior command level.
From October 2023 to February 2024, he was Alexandria’s assistant police chief. He then served as interim police chief there until November 2024. Although Alexandria eventually hired someone else as its permanent chief, Pedroso was one of the candidates for that job. And while he then resumed his post as assistant chief, his work as interim chief apparently made an impression on Fairfax City officials.
Their press release states, “As Alexandria’s interim police chief in 2024, Pedroso led the department through a transformational period and strengthened relations among city leadership, police-department personnel and the community. Under his leadership, the department focused on crime reduction, improved investigations and cultivating a culture of collaboration and accountability.”
Pedroso earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Florida International University. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy.