Police Chief Sheffield announces retirement

U.Va. Police Chief Michael Sheffield announced this week he will retire after 16 years as the University's top law enforcement officer and a quarter-century career in law enforcement at U.Va. He plans to remain in his position until a successor is named.

A 55-year-old Charlottesville native, Sheffield first came to the University as a patrol officer in March 1976 and quickly worked through the ranks --serving as crime prevention officer, director of safety and security at University Hospital and police captain for law enforcement -- before being named chief in 1984.

His tenure has been marked by a focus on crime prevention programs and technological innovation. Sheffield was given the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1991.

The search for Sheffield's successor will begin immediately.