Bristol promotes four officers, unveils police restructuring including downtown co-response unit

The Bristol (Va.) City Council on Sept. 9 recognized four newly promoted officers and received details from Police Chief Byron Ashbrook about a departmental restructuring intended to increase downtown patrols and address outstanding warrants. "We're finally done with our promotions and restructures," Chief Byron Ashbrook said as he introduced the officers.

The promotions included Sergeant Shane Pratt, described by Ashbrook as the department's most recent sergeant who will run a night patrol shift; Sergeant Christopher Combo, who will run a day shift; Lieutenant Keegan Bostick, assigned as a night-shift lieutenant; and Steven Crawford, promoted to captain in July. "This man needs no introduction in this room," Ashbrook said of Captain Steven Crawford, noting Crawford is a lifelong Bristol resident and a second-generation officer.

Ashbrook told the council the department has created a three-person warrant unit led by Sergeant Cross that will work with the court service unit to serve protective orders and clear a backlog of warrants. "They're dedicated to just going out and serving protective orders and warrants to get some of the backlog off our hands," he said.

The department also established a downtown division consisting of two units with a schedule change to a 04:10 work schedule and additional Saturday coverage. A co‑response unit pairing an officer with a clinician to handle downtown calls involving homelessness will begin Oct. 1. Ashbrook said staffing is in place for the co‑response team and the downtown units.

Council members publicly congratulated the promoted officers. Mayor Nave noted the council would take a group photo and presented a 25‑year service recognition to Captain Crawford. No formal council action was required for the presentations.

Discussion-only items included Ashbrook's description of the new detective assignment: an added special victims detective (Chris Capetta) assigned to Captain Crawford’s division. Ashbrook characterized that as an assignment rather than a promotion. "Again, Chris Capetta is in that position, and he's going to be doing some very difficult cases and doing a very good job for us," Ashbrook said.

The council did not take additional formal votes on policy changes tied to the restructuring during the meeting; the session served to recognize personnel changes and detail operational shifts for downtown coverage and warrant service.