Norfolk Police Chief Larry D. Boone was awarded the 2018 NOBLE Attorney General Eric Holder Leadership Award today, at the 42nd Annual NOBLE Training Conference in Hollywood, Florida. The Eric Holder Leadership Award is granted for extraordinary law enforcement leadership performed in the line of duty, to a law enforcement chief executive whose leadership goes above and beyond the call of duty. The award highlights law enforcement leaders who have made positive and significant differences in their agencies, communities, and to the law enforcement profession. This award applauds those in leadership who have significantly assisted to narrow the gap that sometimes exists between the community and law enforcement. In 2016, the historic award was first bestowed upon the 82nd U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder, by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, for his leadership and service to country. Chief Boone is the 3rd recipient of the Eric Holder Leadership Award. “This is a great honor for Chief Boone, the City of Norfolk, and the Hampton Roads Area”, said Joseph Johnson, President of the National Order of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Hampton Roads of Virginia Chapter.
Larry D. Boone was appointed Norfolk’s Chief of Police in December 2016, after 28 years of service with the Norfolk Police Department, and over 10 years of command level experience before serving as the Deputy Chief of Police, and Assistant Chief of Police with oversight of the Field Operations Bureau. Chief Boone is a 2010 graduate of the 241st Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and an active member of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Associates and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Prior to joining the Norfolk Police Department, Chief Boone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia Southern University, and played football for Georgia Southern University (Division I-AA), winning two national titles (1985, 1986). In 2016 he earned his Masters of Public Administration degree from Old Dominion University.
During Chief Boone’s leadership tenure, crime in Norfolk plummeted a historic double digit, to the lowest levels recorded in decades, with the development of a strategic and sustainable crime fighting plan. Recognized locally and regionally, for his vigorous work implementing authentic outreach initiatives for meaningful outcomes and trust between citizens and officers, Chief Boone acknowledged his surprise as the recipient of the 2018 Eric Holder Leadership Award. “As a young man who grew up in the inner-city of New Brunswick, New Jersey, I never dreamed of an honor of this magnitude. I am deeply humbled and honored to be recognized by my peers for leadership, and my passion for developing genuine community outreach opportunities to bring officers and citizens closer for mutual respect. I share this award with my officers, and Norfolk residents who work daily in collaboration toward the goal of the best relationships.”
