The City of Alexandria’s Police Department (APD) is set to welcome Assistant Chiefs Raul Pedroso and Tina Laguna, and Communications Manager Tracy Walker. Each brings valuable experience and a commitment to community service.
Walker started Oct. 2, while Pedroso and Laguna begin Monday, Oct. 23.
“We are expanding APD leadership at a necessary time when our community is looking to us for more information sharing and innovative approaches to crime reduction,” said Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes. “We look forward to the incoming expertise they will bring to further bolster our collective commitment to public safety in Alexandria.”
Communications Manager Tracy Walker
Tracy Walker will be responsible for the department’s communications and public information strategy. Prior to joining APD, she served as the Public Affairs Director for the Richmond Police Department. In that role, she focused on informing and educating public audiences and led the team responsible for managing critical incidents and crises, fostering community engagement, and sharing success stories that showcased the positive impact of law enforcement officers in community policing.
Assistant Chief Raul Pedroso
Raul Pedroso will serve as APD’s assistant chief and commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau; he will lead multiple divisions including Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Investigations (CSI), and Special Investigations, among others, in the resolution of criminal incidents. He joins the department having served the Coral Gables Police Department in Florida as the major over its Criminal Investigations Bureau.
During his 30-year tenure there, he held various commands and strived to foster cohesive working relationships where everyone would collaborate and develop problem-solving initiatives. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy with a master's degree in criminal justice.
Assistant Chief Tina Laguna
APD welcomes Tina Laguna as assistant chief and commander—leading the Administrative & Technology Bureau- identifying and employing innovative technology that aids in crime deterrence and investigations. She will also be responsible for areas related to accreditation, training and recruitment, along with fleet, facility, and records management. She joins APD from the Manassas City Police Department where she served as the Assistant Chief over Investigative Services.
She is the financial secretary for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and a past chair of Leadership Prince William. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. Laguna holds a master’s degree in public administration and a graduate certificate in management and leadership.