Danville City Manager Ken Larking announced today that Scott C. Booth has been selected as chief of police. Booth has more than 21 years of law enforcement experience, including 19 years with the Richmond Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to major.
He currently serves as deputy federal security director for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration in Charlotte, N.C. Prior to taking the position, he served as police chief of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
“We had several well-qualified applicants for the position,” Larking said. “After our extensive evaluation process was complete, it was apparent that Scott would be the best fit for Danville. The experience he gained in Richmond, working at all levels of the department, and as Police Chief for the MWAA will enable him to hit the ground running.”
Larking indicated that it was not only Booth’s experience, but also his passion for community policing that made him the best person for Danville. “I was particularly impressed by the importance Scott puts in building strong relationships and trust in the community.”
Booth will assume his duties on Feb. 5. He will succeed Philip Broadfoot, who served as police chief in Danville for 14 years before retiring effective Jan. 1.
Booth was chosen from a field of 49 applicants through a national recruitment. The City hired Developmental Associates LLC in Chapel Hill, N.C., to coordinate the search. A 14-member assessment panel vetted finalists for the position. The panel included active and retired police chiefs, department directors and community members.
“I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the men and women of the Danville Police Department,” Booth said. “To me, there is nothing more important than working with the community to build effective partnerships to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life for all those who live in and visit our city.”
Booth is a Virginia native. His career in law enforcement began in 1996 with the Richmond Police Department, where he served in a variety of assignments, including detective in the narcotics/vice units, SWAT team, patrol sergeant, recruit training sergeant, sector lieutenant, precinct commander, detective supervisor, commander in the special investigations division, and a major in operations and the Office of Professional Responsibility.
“Throughout my career, I have always recognized that we as the police are partners with the community, and without trust and legitimacy, we cannot be successful,” Booth said.
He joined the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in 2015 as deputy chief, and in January 2016, he was named police chief. The authority operates Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and the Dulles Toll Road. The authority’s police department is one of the largest in Northern Virginia and is comprised of 235 sworn officers, 34 traffic control officers, five safety service patrol personnel and 11 civilian administrative employees. The department is a full service police agency with traditional functions as well as security responsibilities unique to the airport environment.
Booth currently serves at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration in Charlotte as deputy federal security director. He has operational oversight for the safety and security at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Concord Regional Airport, Asheville Regional Airport and the rail/transit system for the state of North Carolina.
He has trained at the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police, the New Chiefs/Deputy Chiefs School of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS) at the University of Richmond.
Prior to beginning his law enforcement career, Booth served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in a combat infantry platoon and a military police squad stationed in the United States, Germany, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for service during Operation Desert Storm.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and leadership studies from the University of Richmond and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in public policy and administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.