Police chief paid $87 in court costs and attended driving school to resolve speeding ticket

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said he’d face the consequences for getting a speeding ticket from one of his own officers earlier this year. And now those consequences are in.

The chief’s reckless driving charge from the Jan. 15 incident resulted in a judge ordering Edwards to pay $87 in court costs and attend driving school, according to the police department. The charge was dismissed after Edwards paid that amount and submitted proof of his completion of driving school.

At a police briefing last month, Edwards revealed he had been ticketed after being caught going 61 miles per hour while driving south on the Lee Bridge in a 35-mile-per-hour zone.

RPD spokesman James Mercante said the case was handled by a substitute judge and a substitute prosecutor. Edwards pleaded no contest during the Feb. 12 hearing on his case.

Edwards had a clean driving record prior to the ticket. According to Mercante, the chief had five positive driving points on his record, the maximum possible under the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles point system.

Mercante said the chief attended the driving school on his own time and paid the court costs with his own money.

“Chief Rick Edwards has committed to being more careful on the roadways in future and urges everyone to please be aware of speeds while driving,” Mercante said.