Teresa Gooch joins the agency with extensive experience in and knowledge of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Previously Ms. Gooch was a career employee with the City of Richmond Police Department. She served as the Assistant Chief of Police responsible for coordinating all operational activities within the department for Uniformed Operations, Investigative Operations, Organized Crime, Research and Planning, Personnel and Training, and Administrative Operations. Prior to her role as Assistant Chief of Police, she served as an Interim Chief of Police, Deputy Police Chief, Police Captain, and Police Lieutenant. Ms. Gooch has managed all aspects of Police operations and has extensive experience interacting with other police and law enforcement agencies, public officials, community officials, and the media.

Ms. Gooch possesses a Bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice from Guilford College, and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also completed ongoing professional training from Harvard University, Boston University, and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Institute.