Newport News, Va. – Today, the City of Newport News announced five finalists who are now being considered for the police chief position after a nationwide search.
On Wednesday, these candidates will go through a series of interviews with stakeholders.
There will be an open, citizen forum at the Marriott at City Center at 740 Town Center Drive. It is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. and will end at 6 p.m. (The schedule is listed below.)
Each candidate will have a one-hour session. They will make a presentation and citizens will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Check out the bios below to learn more about each candidate (Information provided by the City of Newport News):
Kenton Buckner
Chief Buckner has a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration and a Master’s Degree in Safety, Security and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University. He brings 20 years of progressively responsible police experience, having been promoted through the ranks, to include his current role as Assistant Chief of Police with the Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department. Chief Buckner is a current member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Kentucky Chiefs of Police Association.
Michael Ciminelli
Chief Ciminelli possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Rochester Institute of Technology, and has a Juris Doctor from the University of Buffalo. Chief Ciminelli has 21 years of police experience which includes serving for six years as Chief of Police for the Elmira (NY) Police Department, and his current role as Deputy Chief of Police for the Rochester (NY) Police Department. In addition, Chief Ciminelli served as Deputy Chief Counsel with the US Drug Enforcement Agency for five year, and spent three years as an Assistant District Attorney for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office in Rochester, New York.
Joseph Moore
Chief Moore graduated from Christopher Newport College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and followed up with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California. He has served with the Newport News Police Department for 34 years, progressing through the ranks, and is currently in the role of Interim Chief of Police. Chief Moore is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Hampton Roads Chiefs of Police Association.
Richard Myers
Chief (retired) Myers received a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, both from Michigan State University. He has 23 years of experience with several municipal police departments as Chief of Police, including the cities of Colorado Springs (CO), Appleton (WI), and Plymouth (MI), and the Village of Lisle, Illinois. Myers has also served as Interim Chief of Police for the cities of Sanford (FL) and Manitou Springs (CO). He currently serves as owner/principal of RWM Limited, providing subject-matter expertise in training, consulting, and management studies for public and private sectors. Myers is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a past President of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association.
Lorenzo Sheppard, Sr.
Chief Sheppard obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Norfolk State College and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. His experience includes 28 years with the Newport News Police Department, progressing through the ranks, and serving as Assistant Chief of Police since 2009. Chief Sheppard is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Hampton Roads Chiefs of Police.
Community forum schedule:
12:00 p.m. – Kenton Buckner
1:00 p.m. – Michael Ciminelli
2:00 p.m. – Joseph Moore
3:00 p.m. – Richard Myers
4:00 p.m. – Lorenzo Sheppard
5:00 p.m. – Citizen feedback to City Manager Jim Bourey
