Roanoke Police reflect on a year of progress under Chief Scott Booth

Roanoke, Virginia – On Monday, the Roanoke Police Department marks the first year of Chief Scott Booth’s tenure by looking back on a year of accomplishments.

Scott Booth, the chief of the Roanoke Police Department, says he has prioritized modernizing police procedures, addressing gun violence, and fostering community trust in his first year in office.

Although Roanoke had previously experienced a difficult year with high gun violence rates, Booth reflected on the advancements made in the prior year and said that the department’s concentrated efforts had a noticeable effect.

According to Booth, “last year was extremely difficult for Roanoke, with lives lost to gun violence when you look at our gun violence numbers now compared to a year ago.”

Since then, Roanoke has experienced a 55% decrease in non-fatal gun violence cases and a 65% decrease in fatal shootings. According to Booth, this improvement is the result of long-term investments in community programs to combat gun violence, accountability, and collaborations.

Booth stated that community policing provides a solid basis for communication and public confidence. “But you really need to have good investigative methods and allocate resources strategically to go along with that.”

In 2023, an internal audit revealed that the department had problems with trust and communication.

Booth stated on Monday that they have become a more cohesive team and are using improved procedures and equipment to approach public safety.

In keeping with his commitment to openness, he has made public the names of the officers who were engaged in shootings this year as part of their obligation to be transparent and accountable.

“We have the power to take away someone’s life and freedom; that is amazing. Consider that.” “I believe it is our duty to be open and honest with the public,” Booth stated.

The department’s future objectives include training all officers in sophisticated de-escalation techniques, expanding its taser program, and constructing a real-time crime center.

“We’re going to keep improving the things that are working here and we’re going to keep evolving,” Booth stated.

According to Chief Booth, these actions will assist them in creating a department that is safer and more reliable going forward.