Deputy Chief Sean Adams is a native of Virginia Beach and a 32-year senior leader with the Virginia Beach Police Department. He has served in Operations, Investigations, and Professional Development and Training. He was the Commanding Officer for four commands including the 2nd Precinct, 4th Precinct, Special Operations, and Special Investigations.

His professional experience spans multiple areas of policing including oversight of multi-jurisdictional undercover investigations, complex tactical incidents during SWAT operations, directing uniformed patrol duties, and planning, leading, and managing large-scale special events. Adams has served as the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Police, the Executive Aide to the Chief of Police, and the Director of Training.

He holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia, and a BA in Criminology. He is a graduate of the 259th Session of the FBI National Academy, Senior Management Institute for Police (PERF), and Police Executive Leadership School (Virginia). He is an adjunct faculty for Virginia Wesleyan University and the University of Phoenix.