Michael Goldsmith begins his new job as Deputy City Manager

Deputy City Manager Michael Goldsmith, Norfolk VA.
photo: abhi ahmadaeen/BMLTV©

(BMLTV) NORFOLK, VA - This past November City Manager Marcus Jones announced that Police Chief Michael Goldsmith had been promoted to the role of Deputy City Manager. Effective December 1, 2016, Chief Goldsmith will oversee the departments of Police, Fire, Emergency Operations and Neighborhood Development.

Jones went on to say, “Michael Goldsmith knows this city, cares deeply for it and understands the needs of its citizens.” “He engages residents of all ages and has earned trusting relationships with them. In his new role, he will build upon his efforts and work collaboratively, thoughtfully and strategically, to make Norfolk a great place to live, work and thrive.”

Goldsmith held several leadership roles throughout his 27-year career with the Norfolk Police Department. As Chief, Goldsmith expanded training and implemented national best practices in fair and impartial policing. He also spearheaded the development of the department’s first Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and enriched the partnership with the Norfolk Community Services Board.

The CIT program provides Norfolk officers with tools to effectively communicate and provide assistance to a person suffering from mental illness. Furthermore, Chief Goldsmith worked collaboratively to enhance the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods program and bolstered community-policing efforts. He developed numerous programs to increase officer interaction and engagement with Norfolk citizens of all ages.

Under his leadership, the Norfolk Police Department received its first national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Chief Goldsmith developed a budgeting system that was recognized nationally and resulted in significant savings that was used for other city needs.

Goldsmith serves on several regional and national law enforcement boards. In addition, he served as the law enforcement subject matter expert at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Urbanization Experiment at the NATO Defense College in Italy.

Larry Boone will take the reins as the new Chief of Police on December 1, 2016. The former Deputy Chief began his law enforcement career with the Norfolk Police Department in 1989 and served in a multitude of capacities including the Detective Division and Field Operations.

“Larry Boone is the right person for the job,” said City Manager Marcus D. Jones. “Communities across the country face challenges building trust between citizens and law enforcement. Boone has built his career forging relationships that build trust.”

Boone undertook the significant responsibility of improving the department’s community outreach efforts, including at-risk youth and Norfolk’s under-served populations. Under his leadership, the Office of Community Outreach was created and enhancements to available programs and local partnerships have seen a direct impact on Norfolk’s community relations.

“I was thrilled to pass the baton to Larry Boone,” said Michael Goldsmith. “We’ve been colleagues and friends throughout our 27 years in the Norfolk Police department. Not only has Larry Boone demonstrated operational excellence, he has grown the diversity of our force and developed strong community partnership and outreach programs.”

As Deputy Chief, Boone revolutionized the Norfolk Police Department’s Recruitment Unit. He instituted a paid internship program that provides on-the-job experience prior to students entering the department. This enhanced the candidate pool and provided students an opportunity to intern alongside Norfolk police officers and created an open door for successful interns to enter the police academy. Additionally, Boone improved diversity within the Recruitment Unit which resulted in an increase of diverse qualified applicants and minority recruit candidates.