In July 2010, Commander James A. Fenner, Jr. was appointed to lead the 1st District, serving the communities of Rockville, Potomac, North Potomac, Darnestown and Derwood.  His district has approximately 120 employees.

Commander Fenner began his career in August 1981 as a patrol officer in the 4th District after graduating from the county’s Public Service Training Academy.

 He was promoted to the rank of patrol corporal in 1987 and transferred to the 5th District where he served for one year, after which he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to the 3rd District as a patrol sergeant, a position he held for three years. He then volunteered to serve as sergeant of the Personnel Division in charge of the Recruitment and Background Section.  After one year, Commander Fenner volunteered again to be a midnight patrol supervisor in the 2nd District. 

 In 1997, Commander Fenner was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and served as a deputy commander in the 1st District for two years. Thereafter, Commander Fenner was assigned to the Internal Affairs Division as deputy director, a position he held for approximately one year. He was then assigned as deputy commander in the 4th District, where he assumed the role of acting commander for a few months. He was transferred to the Special Operations Division as deputy director of the Tactical Section, performing duties such as management of SWAT operations, crisis negotiations, and K-9 patrol. During his last three years as a lieutenant, he served as a director for the 4th District, 3rd District, and 5th Districts. 

Commander Fenner was promoted to the rank of captain in May 2005 and assigned as director of the Community Services Division.  His duties included overseeing school safety, crime prevention, Chief’s Speaker Bureau, and community outreach.

Commander Fenner earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a resident of Montgomery County and has one daughter, Charmaine. He currently volunteers as chair of Montgomery County’s 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee. He enjoys boating, various sports, and he is a U.S. Coast Guard Certified Merchant Marine Captain.