Article Text

Fairfax County police have found no evidence that the Trump administration’s increased federal immigration enforcement has eroded local trust in the department, Police Chief Kevin Davis said.

Because public trust is difficult to measure directly, the department has been tracking crime data for signs that residents may be less willing to call 911 or interact with officers.

Domestic violence calls have been a key indicator. Davis said officials believed that a decline beginning in 2025 could suggest some residents were becoming reluctant to seek police assistance.

But Fairfax County, Virginia’s largest jurisdiction, recorded no substantial change in domestic violence disturbances or crimes inside homes, Davis said during an interview about year-end crime data.

The department will continue monitoring those calls in 2026. Davis said a noticeable decline in requests for help would signal that police need to work on rebuilding community confidence.

Concerns about immigration enforcement have also surfaced in Washington, where some residents have said an increased federal presence could discourage people from calling 911. Jeffery Carroll, who became interim police chief Jan. 1, said in December that he planned to attend community meetings and engage with residents to help prevent that outcome.

Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham similarly described trust as difficult to quantify. Still, he said a community survey placed satisfaction with his department above 94%.

Newsham said that result suggests residents are not broadly afraid to speak with officers, though he acknowledged that some people may remain reluctant.

Davis stressed that Fairfax County police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement and have no plans to do so. At the same time, the department continues working closely with federal law enforcement agencies.

Fairfax officers serve on task forces with agencies including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Secret Service. Davis said declining to enforce immigration laws does not put the county department at odds with federal authorities.

He said that separation is essential for residents facing emergencies, including a parent and children living with domestic abuse. Those residents must be able to call 911 with confidence that seeking police protection will not bring negative consequences for their family, Davis said.