Henrico Fire, Police name new chiefs of staff

The Henrico Divisions of Fire and Police each have named chiefs of staff.

Tom LaBelle will serve as the chief of staff for Henrico Fire, filling the newly created position immediately, while Barbara West will fill the same role for Henrico Police beginning Jan. 16.

West is joining Henrico Police after 26 years with the Chicago Police Department, after announcing two months ago that she planned to retire from her position there as deputy superintendent in charge of the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform. West was the third-highest ranking official in the department (and its highest-ranking woman) and was the highest-ranking Black woman in the department’s history.

As chief of staff for Henrico Police, she will be responsible for the Professional Standards Unit, Public Information Office and Personnel and Training.

“West brings a wealth of experience related to Internal Affairs, Human Resources, commanding police districts and training,” said Henrico County Chief of Police Eric English. “Her experience will be valuable to the division as we continue to improve our service to our community.”

In her most recent role in Chicago, to which she was appointed in January, West was responsible for overseeing the implementation of more than 70 court-ordered reforms. This summer, she created a community group to review the department’s use-of-force policies.

West and her husband, William, currently live in Chicago with their son, Gyo. She will be moving to Henrico soon.

In his new role, LaBelle will be responsible for providing strategic support and assisting in the coordination of internal sections of the division.

“Chief LaBelle’s commitment to Henrico County, our community, and our members has been evident since his arrival in 2018,” said Henrico County Fire Chief Alec Oughton. “His strategic and collaborative approach, coupled with his ability to effectively communicate, will make him shine as the Chief of Staff.”

LaBelle joined Henrico Fire in 2018 as deputy chief of community risk reduction. In that position, LaBelle helped develop long-term planning for the department and oversaw activity in the Fire Marshal's office, the Planning Section and the Professional Development and Training Sections.

Before joining Henrico County, LaBelle held fire leadership positions in New York and Virginia, including as executive director of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. He has served on committees for the International Association of Fire Chiefs as well as the National Fire Protection Association. LaBelle is a graduate of the U.S. Fire Administration’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

LaBelle and his wife, Debbie, have two children, both in college.