Three top police officers promoted

Richmond Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood has named Maj. David M. McCoy assistant chief and promoted two other veterans to the rank of major.

Norwood, the former police chief in Bridgeport, Conn., announced the promotions yesterday, one month after he was sworn in as Richmond's chief. The changes are effective immediately.

Promoted from captain to major were John Venuti, a 24-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, and Eric English, who joined the department in 1990.

"We intend to continue to build upon our successes," Norwood said during a ceremony at police headquarters. "With these three gentlemen at the helm, I am confident that our successes will be great."

McCoy served as interim chief after former Police Chief Rodney Monroe left to head the police department of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, N.C.

McCoy fills the position last held by John Buckovich, who was interim assistant chief after Monroe's departure. Buckovich retired effective Monday.

McCoy joined the department as a patrol officer in 1985 and rose to major in 2000. He implemented the department's first mountain bike unit and established the Community Assisted Public Safety initiative, an element of the department's community policing strategy.

He received an undergraduate degree at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., and a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed a fellowship with the Police Foundation in Washington and attended anti-terrorism training in Jerusalem.

"I'm very excited about this day," McCoy said. "Our chief has set a foundation. We're going to advance community policing, accountability, as well as professionalism."

Venuti and English served as acting majors while McCoy was interim chief.

In his new position as major, Venuti will manage the Support Services Division, which includes the Major Crimes, Special Events and Special Investigations divisions.

Venuti worked as a supervisor in Major Crimes for more than five years, overseeing a homicide unit whose clearance rate has outpaced the national average. Last year, Richmond police recorded a third consecutive annual decline in the number of homicides, with 55, the lowest total in more than 25 years.

Venuti also trained at the FBI National Academy.

He said the department has many successes to celebrate, adding that he is motivated and inspired by the hard work of employees throughout the agency.

"Lots of work to do," Venuti added. "No ifs, ands or buts about it."

English will oversee the Office of Professional Responsibility, which includes internal affairs and the Disciplinary Review Office and the Public Integrity Unit, which investigates computer, financial and other crimes.

Previously, English oversaw the department's 3rd Precinct. He also has worked in the Bicycle Unit, the Training Division and the Strike Force, and as a property crimes detective.

English received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Richmond, where he also played basketball. He earned a master's degree in public administration from VCU.

"We have to be professional," English said after yesterday's ceremony. "Our citizens deserve that."
Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .