Clarence Hunter

Chief Clarence T. Hunter, Jr., with almost 30 years of experience in law enforcement, heads the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department, one of the largest univesity police departments in the country. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. 

Hunter first entered law enforcement when he joined the Richmond Police Department in 1990 and was assigned to patrol operations for six years. More recently, he served in the Henrico County Police Division, first as deputy chief of police from April 2013 to May 2016 before being promoted to assistant chief of police, a position he held for two years. Hunter was deputy chief of police at Virginia Union University from August 2022 to September 2023. He joined the Henrico County Police Division in July 1996 as a police officer.  During his tenure, he has served in Criminal Investigations, Organized Crime, and SWAT. He also served as Commanding Officer for Patrol Operations, South Station and Personnel and Training.

In addition to being a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program at North Carolina State University, Assistant Chief Hunter is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond and the Senior Management Institute for Police, sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum, in Boston, Massachusetts.  He has received a Wilmer J. Hedrick Award, Richard G. Engels Award, Silver Star Award, two Meritorious Unit Awards, and a Certificate of Appreciation. Assistant Chief Hunter is a national instructor for the Fair Impartial Policing program. He also served in the United States Army, 82nd Airborne Division, and the Virginia Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant.