Secretary of Public Safety
Marla Graff Decker
Marla Decker is a graduate of Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, Virginia. On December 3, 2009, then Governor-elect Bob McDonnell appointed Marla Decker to serve as his Secretary of Public Safety. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Decker served as the Deputy Attorney General of the Public Safety and Enforcement Division in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia. That Division is comprised of the Criminal Litigation, Correctional Litigation, Health Care Fraud & Elder Abuse, and Special Prosecutions & Organized Crime Sections. It also includes the Gang Reduction & Intervention Program (GRIP) as well as the Attorney General's other Anti-Crime Initiatives. Marla was re-appointed to that position by Attorney General Bob McDonnell when he took office in January of 2006.
In addition to her other responsibilities as Deputy Attorney General, Marla supervised and staffed Attorney General William C. Mims' anti-gang, anti-terrorism and crime prevention initiatives, responsibilities she assumed for four Attorneys General. Ms. Decker also supervised the drafting of criminal legislation, as well as developed and implemented training initiatives and conducted community awareness events relating to gangs. Additionally, Marla supervised the initiation of criminal investigations and prosecutions, as well as provided presentations on Virginia's gang laws, prevention initiatives, and other related topics.
Further, Marla serves as an evening adjunct faculty member of the University of Richmond School of Law and the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies. She teaches courses in Appellate Advocacy, Terrorism Law, Legal and Ethical Considerations for Emergency Managers, and Law of Disasters. Marla also teaches for law enforcement academies on topics such as Fourth Amendment law, identity theft, terrorism, and gangs. Finally, Ms. Decker is a life member of the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad in Henrico County and lectures to pre-hospital providers on terrorism and public safety issues. Marla is married to Chip Decker, Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.
Office of the Secretary of Public Safety
Patrick Henry Building
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
For regular U.S. mail, please use the following address:
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone Numbers:
(804) 786-5351
Fax Line: (804) 371-6381
