Re-Accreditation: in May 2013, we attained elite re-accreditation status with the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). This process involves an intensive, on-site review of all aspects of agency operations, including nearly 200 different standards of efficiency and professionalism which are required to be fully met in order to gain approval.
Technology: we have become members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, and as such we have been able to obtain over $28,000 in grant funding to support our Office in fighting these terrible crimes against the youth in our community. Additionally, we have fully re-designed our website including email alert features, and added Facebook and Twitter accounts to become more accessible and accountable to the public.
Special Operations: we have developed a Special Operations Unit in order to be more responsive to the wide variety of needs within our community. This includes enhancing the staffing, training, and equipment for our SWAT team, and the establishment of new capabilities such as Mountain Bike patrols, Honor Guard, Canine Unit, and Rapid Response Search and Rescue operations.
Re-entry: we have implemented a re-entry program at the Jail in an effort to assist inmates with successful transition back into society and reduce the level of recidivism. We offer weekly classes and workshops on a variety of different topics like managing finances, completing job applications, and interpersonal communication. We now offer the “DMV Connect” program to all inmates to help them to have an official identification card upon their release from our facility.
Officer Safety Training: we have been able to establish partnerships with the private sector to obtain the necessary funding to provide additional officer training sessions for all of our sworn members. We purchased “airsoft” weapons that fire non-lethal rounds and obtained other necessary equipment which enables us to use highly realistic scenarios in order to prepare our members to properly protect themselves while serving the public.
Public Forums: we worked with the County Parks and Recreation Department to offer a number of different seminars and forums to the public at various locations throughout the County and City at no cost. Topics have included: Internet Safety, Basic Self-Defense, Scam and Fraud Awareness, Senior Citizen Safety, Teen Dating Safety for Mothers/Daughters, and Project Lifesaver.
Mental Health: we have worked closely with the Community Services Board to increase the number of hours that mental health professionals are available to inmates. Recently, we have procured a $30,000 grant along with additional matching funds to help us with providing these services when needed. Also, we helped to obtain a $90,000 grant that we serve as the fiscal agent of in order to establish a Crisis Intervention Training program in our community, which helps responders to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness.