Bridgewater Police Chief presented with Law Enforcment Commendation

Chief Read has an extensive career serving others through the military and as an officer and chief.
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Read served in the Army National Guard for six years, from 2003 to 2009. During his enlistment he served in Afghanistan in 2004, and Iraq in 2007-2008. While serving his country, he also attended college at James Madison University where he graduated in 2009 with a degree in Justice Studies. After graduating from JMU he attended the Police Academy and was hired by the Harrisonburg Police Department. He served Harrisonburg for 12 years until 2021 when he transitioned to the Bridgewater Police Department.

While employed by HPD he worked as a Patrol Lieutenant and SWAT Commander. He also held roles as Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Special Operations Bike Unit Corporal, and major Crimes Detective Sergeant. During his time in Harrisonburg, he attended Liberty University where he received a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Administration.

In the last year, Chief Read has implemented several new initiatives to provide value to the citizens and business owners in Bridgewater while improving safety for the town and his officers. Those include:

• A Mutual Aid Agreement between nearly a dozen local jurisdictions to provide support for large events or significant issues without adding burden to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department.
• Business Safety Checks where Bridgewater officers routinely check doors, windows, and surrounding areas of local businesses afterhours to ensure security.
• Trespassing Enforcement Agreements with local organizations so officers have the authority to address suspicious activity after business hours without calling the business owner out of bed; issues found are addressed to confirm or deny the following business day.
• The Read Report: Chief Read started a routine video update that’s shared with town residents, providing them with information on recent and upcoming events that involved a police presence.

Additionally, Chief Read actively works to ensure his team members have growth and development opportunities, so they’re prepared for the next steps in their careers, be that with Bridgewater PD or in leadership roles with other agencies. Read, himself, was recently selected to participate in the FBI National Command Course. This weeklong course focused on leadership in law enforcement and provided him with the opportunity to develop working relationships with some of the best leaders in the field from across the United States. On a local level, Read has participated in an executive leadership group with more than a dozen business owners and high level managers since early 2022, just after accepting his new role in late 2021.
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Read is dedicated to serving others, from his military experience through his role as Chief of Bridgewater Police Department.

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