Albemarle Police Chief Calls It Quits; City Reaches for the Backup

Albemarle Police Chief Jason Bollhorst has decided it’s time to hang up the badge after three years of keeping Albemarle’s finest in line. Before taking the top spot here, Bollhorst spent over 26 years with the City of Newport News (VA) Police Department, wrangling criminals and, presumably, the occasional paperwork mountain. But all good things come to an end, and the chief has decided that a quiet retirement (or a less quiet second career) is calling his name.

In classic Albemarle style, the city is dusting off its “Interim Chief” nameplate, ensuring no moment goes unled at the local PD. Enter Penny Dunn, who is stepping into the interim role like a seasoned pinch-hitter. Dunn’s resume reads like a Greatest Hits of Law Enforcement, starting her career back in 1986—back when “cop shows” were all the rage. She joined the San Marcos (TX) Police Department in 1989, climbing the ranks like they were a set of career-stairs. After a stint as police chief in Davidson, NC, she retired in 2023 but couldn’t resist the siren call of interim leadership.

Dunn’s law enforcement experience covers just about everything: running investigations, managing shifts like a pro, commanding the K-9 unit (yes, the dogs listened to her), cracking cold cases, and more. She’s got degrees and certifications to prove she’s not just winging it, including a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University and the title of Certified Public Manager. Plus, she’s served on just about every board you can imagine—if there’s a committee for chiefs, family justice, or anything involving public service, she’s probably on it.

Meanwhile, Albemarle will launch its search for the next permanent chief, because nothing says “steady leadership” like the rotating door of police chiefs. Stay tuned!