Bristol, Va. — The Bristol, Virginia, City Council voted unanimously Jan. 17 to hire Byron Ashbrook as the city’s next police chief after meeting in closed session under the Virginia Code exception for personnel matters.

Council members moved into a closed session “pursuant to section 2.2-3711(a)(1), Code of Virginia,” to discuss prospective candidates for employment. After returning to open session, a councilmember moved to accept the city manager’s recommendation to hire Byron Ashbrook; the motion was seconded and passed by roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes.

The motion accepted the city manager’s recommendation; the transcript does not specify the manager’s name, the mover’s or seconder’s full names, or a start date for Chief Ashbrook. Following the vote, council members invited Byron Ashbrook forward for a photo and offered a public welcome to his new role.

No discussion of alternate candidates, salary, employment contract terms, or an effective date for the chief’s appointment appears in the public transcript. The council adjourned immediately after the welcome and a photograph.

Action details: the council convened a called meeting, approved the agenda, entered closed session under Va. Code §2.2-3711(a)(1) (personnel), and then voted to hire Byron Ashbrook as police chief. The transcript shows all recorded council members voting yes; no recorded no votes, abstentions, or recusals.