Michael P. Kochis

Chief Kochis held a CPD Community Forum on Recent Gun Violence, February 27, 2023.

Chief Michael P. Kochis was appointed Chief of Police of the Charlottesville Police Department on January 16, 2023.

The Charlottesville City Council unanimously voted on December 5, 2023 to bring in Michael Kochis as the new permanent chief of police, following a recommendation by Interim City Manager Michael Rogers. Kochis is set to assume the position on Jan. 16, 2023. He was selected over Charlottesville's Interim Police Chief Tito Durette and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Commander Easton McDonald. The position was left vacant after Former Police Chief RaShall Brackney was let go in September 2021. Brackney has since filed a lawsuit against city officials over wrongful termination.

Prior to being appointed Chief of Police, Kochis was the Chief of Police for the Warrenton Police Department for three years after serving as a Commander with the Alexandria Virginia Police Department. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement Executives, and the Senior Management Institute for Policing through the Police Executive Research Forum.

Chief Kochis currently holds a Certified Public Manager designation from The George Washington University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration, and a master’s degree in public safety from the University of Virginia.