ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – The Roanoke Police Department is reflecting on a year of progress by celebrating Chief Scott Booth’s first year on the job on Monday.

In his first year as Chief of the Roanoke Police Department, Scott Booth says he is focused on combating gun violence, strengthening community trust and modernizing police practices.

Reflecting on last year’s progress, Booth noted that Roanoke has had a challenging year in the past with high rates of gun violence, but the department’s focused efforts are showing real impact.

“When you look at our gun violence numbers compared to a year ago, last year was incredibly difficult for Roanoke, lives were lost due to gun violence,” Booth said.

Since then, Roanoke has seen a 65% decrease in fatal shootings and a 55% decrease in nonfatal gun violence. Booth says this progress is a combination of partnerships, accountability and long-term investments in community programs that address gun violence.

“Community policing gives you a strong foundation in how to communicate and how to get the public to trust you,” Booth said. “But you really need to have strong research techniques and strategic resource allocation working with that.”

A 2023 internal audit showed the department faced communication and trust issues.

On Monday, Booth said they have grown stronger as a team by approaching public safety with improved practices and tools.

It also said it is committed to transparency, releasing the names of police officers involved in shootings this year as part of their duty to be open and accountable.

“We have the ability to take away someone’s life and freedom, that’s tremendous, think about that. I think we have an obligation to the public to be transparent,” Booth said.

Going forward, the department plans to establish a real-time crime center, expand the taser program and train all officers in de-escalation.

“We will continue to improve and improve on what works here,” Booth said.

Chief Booth says these steps will help them create a safer and more reliable department as they move forward.

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