Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Henrico County Police Department

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Common name
  
Henrico Police

Formed
  
December 14, 1871

Abbreviation
  
HCPD

Henrico County Police Department

Legal personality
  
Governmental: Government agency

Operations jurisdiction*
  
County (US) of Henrico in the state of Virginia, USA

Size
  
245 square miles (630 km)

The Henrico County Division of Police is the primary law enforcement agency serving 306,935 people within 245 square miles (630 km2) of jurisdiction within Henrico County, Virginia.

Contents

History

The first known police department in the county began December 14, 1871, with the appointment of a special police officer. In 1908, the Board of Supervisors recommended that a mounted patrol be used. The Division of Police was officially created in 1915 with T. Wilson Seay elected as the first chief of police. In 1934 when the county converted to the county manager form of government, the department had eight officers. In 1938, the board of supervisors placed the Division of Police under the direct control of the county manager.

The department has 584 sworn police officers. The agency is headed by Colonel Douglas A. Middleton. Middleton was sworn in as an officer with the Henrico County Division of Police on November 29, 1972. Prior to taking the Chief's office on April 9, 2011, Middleton served as Deputy Chief of Henrico County Police for nearly 14 years. The Chief of Police is appointed by the county manager and is the chief law enforcement officer in the county.

Select Operational Units

The HCPD has the following operational units:

  • Traffic Crash Team The Traffic Crash Team enforce traffic laws, investigate traffic complaints, conduct traffic safety surveys and work with traffic engineers. They also provide assistance with funeral and dignitary escorts, school crossing posts, and they are responsible for breathalyzer equipment maintenance and record keeping.
  • Marine Patrol Unit The Marine Patrol Unit officers ensure the safety of its citizens while on the waterways.
  • Animal Protection The Animal Protection unit cares to rescued animals, rabies shots clinics four times annually, animal rescue, and education and training on the following topics: pet owner pet care responsibility, pet owner civic responsibility, pet disease prevention and proactive health care, customized programs for your group or organization.
  • Metro Aviation Unit The Metro Aviation Unit provides aerial surveillance for foot and vehicle pursuits, traffic control, drug interdiction, and provide a perspective from above for fire fighting, accident scenes, and disaster damage.
  • Motor Unit The Motor Unit conduct traffic safety operations, speed enforcement and provide escorts for visiting dignitaries and funeral processions.
  • Motorist Assistance The Motorists Assistance unit report traffic hazards and perform other duties as required.
  • Safety Officer (Crossing Guards) The Safety Officer unit serves as a liaison with Pupil Transportation, the Division of Fire, and traffic engineers regarding school crossings, parking, and other traffic related issues.

    • Fallen officers

    Since the establishment of the Henrico County Police Department, 9 officers have died in the line of duty.

    References

    Henrico County Police Department Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA