Great Falls Connection
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HomeLifeStyle Page 9 Rodrigo Torres Sharp, 6, of Great Falls, and his mother, Zulay Torres Sharp, enjoy Mother’s Day at the Great Falls Grange Playground. Calendar, Page, Page 11 v Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, Mother’s Day 2021, With Love News, Page 6 Community Presses Police Chief and Chairman for Answers News, Page 3 Requested in home 5-13-21 home in Requested Time sensitive material. material. sensitive Time Attention Postmaster: Postmaster: Attention ECR WSS ECR It’s a No to Fire Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, Station #49 Monopole PAID U.S. Postage U.S. News, Page 8 STD PRSRT Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection by Mercia Hobson/The Photo May 12-18, 2021 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News Police Chief Begins Job with Trust Deficit Photos by Mercia Hobson/The Connection recent findings that have become public Faith leaders question since the announcement of the hire. Many are concerned about the lack of transparen- ‘flawed’ selection cy and obvious due diligence in this search process,” said Walton. “Speaking the truth is process and not always comfortable, but it is necessary. Either we are facing a process issue or values Supervisors’ values issue. Either way, there’s a flaw,” he said. Walton referenced incidents involving Da- during prayer vigil. vis solely by the years 1993 and 1999 when Davis was a police officer. He did not say the By Mercia Hobson incidents led to lawsuits against Davis with The Connection claims he used excessive force. Walton did not need to; those gathered learned from pproximately thirty interfaith the media and other sources after the Coun- leaders from across Fairfax Coun- ty Supervisors selected Davis in a closed ty gathered in the “First Amend- door meeting. Ament” area outside the Fairfax Walton said Supervisors acknowledged County Government Center at noon, Tues- they were not aware of the 1993 or 1999 day, May 4. They exercised their Constitu- incidents regarding the new Chief. “That’s tional right of free speech to lead a prayer a flaw,” Davis said. He questioned how the vigil in response to the Fairfax County Board Board could make an informed decision of Supervisors’ recent selection of Kev- Rev. Dr. Vernon Walton, the First Baptist Church Vienna senior pastor, leads his fellow without dialogue. “Either you, [Supervisors] in Davis as the County Police Chief. Inside faith leaders in prayer. knew of the history of our Chief and have the Government Center, the Fairfax County made a determination that it was so insignif- Board of Supervisors meeting was about to icant that you are standing by your choice. get underway at 1 p.m. Board of Supervisors: Davis ‘Has Our Trust’ Or you didn’t know of these events. And as a “[The hiring of Davis] was a decision made result, you are grieved by the fact that criti- in the dark,” said Denise Wilson, President of The Fairfax County Board of Super- community and the Board of Supervisors. cal information with regard to one’s profes- Baptist Ministries of Northern Virginia. visors released the following statement He has also demonstrated through his lead- Tuesday, May 4, in support of Police Chief ership that his past experiences have shaped sional career has been purposely withheld, Moderator Rev. Dr. Vernon Walton, the Kevin Davis: his focus on reform. He has our trust to and you want to revisit your decision,” he First Baptist Church Vienna senior pastor, “Police Chief Kevin Davis was chosen guide the Fairfax County Police Department said. addressed his fellow faith leaders from dif- with the full support and confidence of through the challenges ahead and build on Walton said it is the Board of Supervisors’ ferent traditions, denominations, and wor- the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. the reform efforts already made. responsibility to tell the community why ship styles, yet holding a common interest. Following extensive community outreach As the Chief, we also expect him to be a they selected Davis, and in light of recent Walton said that they were there to pray and and input, he was selected after a nation- strong and effective advocate for the types wide search. Chief Davis demonstrated to of reforms that are designed to protect at findings, why they are remaining with him. lift to God the concerns of their people and the Board that he can lead reform efforts, risk communities from police misconduct. Walton said the trust deficit is not Davis’ those of County residents about the selec- strengthen community relationships, and The Board will accept nothing less going alone to own. It is a burden the Board of Su- tion of Kevin Davis as the new police chief. successfully manage change. forward. We know and agree that this is pervisors also carries. “No one, especially a police chief, should We are aware of the incidents reported critical to collectively reforming policing “The moment there is a questionable begin a job with a trust deficit,” said Walton, in the local media. While they occurred and continuing our journey toward One stop, or God forbid, something worse, it decades ago, we understand the concerns Fairfax. senior pastor of the First Baptist Church Vi- will also be on your hands [Supervisors] of the community. We expect Chief Davis enna. The Police Chief is hired by the Board of to respond to questions regarding those Supervisors and as such, his performance because of your decision-making process. “Specifically, many are concerned about incidents in the media and directly with the will be evaluated at least annually. And so, we gather to pray, praying for God’s the integrity of the process and the more will to be done.” Rabbi Michael G. Holzman, Rev. Dr. Scott Ramsey, Pastor Rev. Dr. Vernon Walton, the Northern Virginia Hebrew Con- at Lewinsville Presbyterian First Baptist Church Vienna Rev. Dr. Denise Wilson, Baptist Rev. Jacquelyn Hollingworth, gregation, Reston. Church in McLean. senior pastor. Ministries of Northern Virginia (Ret.) Pastor of AME Church. your spirit fall upon the Police Department.” the opportunity to make the same mistake, Faith Leaders: Why are We at the Vigil –Rev. Dr. Scott Ramsey, Pastor at Lewins- we choose a different path. And we can “Justice, transparency that can shed light “I’m here to ask the County Supervisors ville Presbyterian Church in McLean only do that when we know what we’ve on truth. That the Supervisors do not oper- to fix their mistake and rescind the contract done is wrong.” ate behind closed doors in the process of a of the new police chief… We need the right “We are here to do what is right and just for – Rabbi Michael G. Holzman, North- police chief. We, the People, have the right person for the job.” the Fairfax County community.” ern Virgi nia Hebrew Congregation, to hear the whole story.” – Rev. Sean S. Roberds, First Baptist – Rev. Dr. Paul A. Sheppard First Baptist Reston – Bishop Carroll A. Baltimore, C.A.B. Church of Herndon Church of Merrifield Outreach International Ministries, Inc. “We would like to see justice served by Chantilly “Lord, you are about that work of building the “It’s appropriate for us to be here today as the rescinding of the contract of new Chief beloved community…and you are about that clergy because what we are talking about is Davis. The residents of Fairfax County are “To shine a light on the truth.” work right here in Fairfax County…Let your spirit atonement … The mistakes that we have to depending on us to do the right thing.” – Rev. Jacquelyn Hollingsworth, Ret. fall upon all who are citizens of this County. Let accept, the hardest ones, are the mistakes we – Rev. Dr. Denise Wilson, Baptist Minis- Pastor of AME Church your spirit fall upon the Board of Supervisors. Let make. Atonement comes when we are given tries of Northern Virginia 2 v Great Falls Connection v May 12-18, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Community Presses New Police Chief and recent findings that have become public since the announcement of the hire. Many are concerned about the lack of transparen- cy and obvious due diligence in this searchChairman for Answers process,” said Walton. “Speaking the truth is not always comfortable, but it is necessary. Either we are facing a process issue or valuesCitizens plead FXCO not be part of Davis’ issue. Either way, there’s a flaw,” he said. Walton referenced incidents involving Da-redemptive career journey. vis solely by the years 1993 and 1999 when Davis was a police officer. He did not say the By Mercia Hobson incidents led to lawsuits against Davis with The Connection claims he used excessive force. Walton did n day four in his new position not need to; those gathered learned from as Chief of Police Fairfax Coun- the media and other sources after the Coun- ty, the ghosts of Kevin Davis’ law ty Supervisors selected Davis in a closedO enforcement past clung heavily door meeting. in the County’s public arena of the May 6 Walton said Supervisors acknowledged virtual Community Input Session hosted by they were not aware of the 1993 or 1999 Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large), incidents regarding the new Chief. “That’s Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and a flaw,” Davis said. He questioned how theSupervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Lee District). Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large) Board could make an informed decisionThe problem was the community’s concerns Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large) Fairfax County Board of Supervisors without dialogue. “Either you, [Supervisors]were no longer confined to the Board’s hir- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and and Supervisor Rodney Lusk hosted the knew of the history of our Chief and have ing process and appointment of Davis as Supervisor Rodney Lusk hosted the May 6 May 6 Community Input Session with made a determination that it was so insignif-chief of police.