Chevy Chase Village Announces Selection of New Police Chief

The Board of Managers of Chevy Chase Village has announced the appointment of John Nesky, 58, as its new Police Chief, effective October 1, 2023.

Per Chevy Chase Village: Chief Nesky, has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, including currently serving as Chief of Police for the Bowie Police Department located in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Chief Nesky will succeed John Fitzgerald, who has announced he will retire this coming fall after twelve years as the Village’s Chief.

Chief Nesky brings to the Village a wealth of law enforcement experience including leading two municipal police departments within the State of Maryland.  In a statement, Chief Nesky stated that he “looks forward to providing efficient, professional, and compassionate service” to the residents of Chevy Chase Village and “getting to know the community”.

Six current and former public safety professionals submitted applications for the position. Most have served as senior officers in and near Montgomery County, and half had served in senior leadership positions.

“All of us at the Village Board of Managers were impressed by the caliber and talent of those who applied for this position, and we look forward to welcoming Chief Nesky, who brings deep prior municipal experience”, Elissa Leonard, Chair of the Village’s governing Board of Managers, said.  “Chevy Chase Village is fortunate to hire him.”

Chevy Chase Village is a century-old, incorporated community of 720 homes and 2,000 residents abutting the northwestern corner of the District of Columbia and extending north for a mile from the District on both sides of Connecticut Avenue.  Rare for communities its size, it has its own police department, currently of eleven sworn officers.  While violent crime is rare in the Village, the community has experienced burglaries from homes and larcenies from parked automobiles.

Chief Nesky began his over 30 years of law enforcement experience as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army.  After graduating from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, Chief Nesky began his civilian law enforcement career with the City of District Heights in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  While at District Heights he honed his community policing skills and aggressively sought out new challenges.  While working as a Patrol Officer he received numerous accolades including Officer of the Year and the American Legion Law and Order Award.  In 2006 he was appointed Chief of Police for the City of District Heights.

In 2007 Chief Nesky took the position of Deputy Chief of Police with the newly created City of Bowie Police Department.  He was the second person hired and assisted with the design, creation and implementation of the Bowie Police Department under the motto of “Service with Integrity”.  In March of 2011 he was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Bowie and continued to focus on service to the community as the Department grew and evolved into a CALEA accredited agency.  Chief Nesky has announced his retirement from the Bowie Police Department effective September 15, 2023.

Chief Nesky is also active in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Benefitting Special Olympics as the State Director and Special Olympics Maryland as a member of the Board of Directors and a Unified Partner in bowling.  Chief Nesky is a Past President of the Prince George’s Chiefs Association as well as a Past President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association.

Chief Nesky is married, with two grown children and five grandchildren.