The Virginia Beach Police Department has appointed Rae Pearson Benn as its new Chief Communications Officer, effective July 24, 2025.
Benn will be responsible for overseeing the department’s communications strategy. Her duties include managing media and community relations, internal communications, strategic messaging, brand storytelling, social media engagement, and crisis management.
She brings more than two decades of experience in communications and public relations to the position. Most recently, Benn was Director of Communications at Regent University. There she received the President’s Award of Excellence from Chancellor Gordon Robertson in December 2024 for her innovation, excellence, and integrity.
Benn is also recognized for her work with the City of Virginia Beach Public Communications Office as a Media Communications Coordinator III. During that time she appeared in several city informational videos and earned two Emmy nominations as a writer/producer in 2019 and 2020.
Her previous roles include positions at WAVY TV-10, the Christian Broadcasting Network, the City of Chesapeake, and the Office of Attorney General.
“Ms. Rae Pearson Benn’s combination of skills, experience, and her personal commitment to servant leadership will be an asset to the VBPD team,” according to a statement from the department.
