PURCELLVILLE, Va. JULY 30, 2018 — The Town of Purcellville today announced that Police Chief Cynthia McAlister will be returning to her position effective August 1, 2018. Chief McAlister’s reinstatement comes upon the conclusion of the commissioned investigation by Retired Chief of Police Timothy Longo and the Wilson Elser law firm. The Phase 2 Public Final Report of Audit and Investigation (the “Phase 2 Public Report”), being issued today, documents that there was no evidence of untruthfulness or misconduct by Chief McAlister.
Chief Longo and Wilson Elser conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation of the allegations made against Chief McAlister and recommended that she be reinstated. Their rigorous methodology and depth of investigative experience gives us the utmost confidence in their findings. We are pleased the investigation has concluded, and are excited to bring Chief McAlister back to her role as Chief of the police department as we move forward.
In addition, the Phase 2 Public Report documents that allegations of untruthfulness made against Officer Kris Fraley last fall were unfounded. Officer Fraley has been cleared of any and all wrongdoing.
The investigation by Chief Longo and Wilson Elser is now complete. As Town Manager, I am grateful to the officers who served the community with distinction while the Town conducted these investigations, and am eager to shift focus to strengthening all functions of the police department so that it can deliver the highest possible level of service to both our residents and business community. We are committed to building an organization of high integrity that reflects the strong values and principles of our Town. I look forward to working with Chief McAlister and her staff in developing a vision and strategic plan that will strengthen the police department’s mission and bring innovative community policing initiatives to the department as we forge our path into the next chapter of this Town’s history.
Now that the investigations are concluded, Mayor Fraser and the Town Council have asked Chief Longo, Wilson Elser and its consultants to provide specific recommendations to improve the Town’s policies, procedures, and internal controls. These recommendations will be incorporated with the comprehensive organizational assessment of all departments, which is beginning this week. Upon completion of the organizational assessment, recommendations will be evaluated by the Town in a transparent and deliberative process, and implemented to enhance the service delivery of all departments. These improvements will enhance the quality of life for our residents, strengthen our economic base, and preserve the long term fiscal sustainability of our community.
