Henrico Police chief joins National Police Athletic/Activities League’s Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Council

Henrico County Police Chief Col. Eric English was installed in April as an inaugural member of the National Police Activities/Athletic League’s Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Council, during an event in Washington, D.C.

English was the only Virginia official selected for the council, which also includes the chiefs of the Santa Barbara, California and Washington D.C. police departments.

“Colonel English’s dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of the young people he serves makes him a valuable member of the Council,” said National PAL CEO Chris Hill, who built a PAL chapter in New Jersey while serving as a police sergeant. 

Creating the Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Council is part of a rejuvenation and redirection of the national organization, which has been serving local chapters since the 1940s and whose corporate board of directors is now under the leadership of Kenneth Ragland, the founder of the Henrico Police Athletic League chapter. There are now more than 300 PAL chapters nationwide.

“We are going to lean on the Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Council for guidance as National PAL evolves and grows to provide new assets and support to our local chapters,” Ragland said.

“The mentoring, support, and example that police officers provide to the youth who enter these programs is probably as important as the sports and activities,” Hill said. “Everyone likes to win a contest, but PAL chapters can help young people find the right path to a good future – to win in life.”