Breaking News • Derek Weeks named Salem’s ninth police chief

Salem City Manager Chris Dorsey announced today that he is appointing Derek Weeks as the City of Salem Police Chief. The appointment will be effective July 1, one month after Weeks was named interim chief on June 1.

“I am confident that Chief Weeks has the experience and vision needed to lead the police department into the future,” Dorsey said. “Derek knows this city. He understands its character and unique challenges, and he also knows what it takes to continue to build the department’s success. The Salem Police Department has a long tradition of providing exemplary service to our city every day, and Derek has helped shape that during his years of service.”

Weeks is the ninth police chief in the history of the Salem Police Department. He began his career as a police officer, serving four years with the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office before joining the Salem Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. He joined the Salem Criminal Investigation Division in 2006 and was voted Salem Officer of the Year by his peers in 2007.

In 2009, he was promoted to sergeant and served in that capacity in the patrol, services and forensics divisions. During that time, Weeks graduated from the 81st class of the Virginia Forensic Science Academy. In 2015, Weeks was promoted to lieutenant and in February 2016 was appointed Salem’s deputy chief by then-Chief Michael Crawley.

“I strive to serve this department and this community every day,” Weeks said. “I plan to continue to build upon the foundation laid by my mentors among the administrators. Our department will continue to provide excellent police services to the citizens and visitors of Salem.”

Chief Weeks, 49, graduated from Glenvar High School in 1992 and Radford University in 1996. He also graduated 284th from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico in 2022. He lives in Salem with his wife and family.