Virginia Port Authority Police Department

As a Virginia Port Authority Police Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.

I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.

I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession . . . law enforcement.

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary supply-chain security program led by the U. S. Customs and Border Protection. The program focuses on the development of cooperative relationships to strengthen the security of our borders, as well as the security of the overall supply chain while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade. Since 2006, the VPA has been a certified C-TPAT partner with VPA Police Department personnel designated as primary points of contact.

More Information here.

• All persons needing access to Maritime Facilities are required to possess a TWIC card and have it in their possession at all times. Persons without a TWIC must be escorted by a TWIC holder in such a manner that constant control is maintained.All Port of Virginia terminals are fully restricted and escort ratios cannot exceed 5:1. Escorted persons will need to have an approved photo identification to be allowed entry. Escort application forms are available at all security checkpoints. It is imperative that all parties involved read and understand the escort rules prior to signing the escort application.
• For more information about TWIC, contact your local office at 855-347-8371 or online at www.tsa.gov .

The Chief of Police has a legal mandate to ensure procedures exist for investigating complaints made by members of the public against Police Department personnel. The employees of the Virginia Port Authority Police (VPA) are carefully selected, highly trained and serve with a pride of professionalism. However, as in any organization, deviations from ideal performance occur. Allegations of misconduct against department personnel are investigated thoroughly and objectively, and appropriate action taken, with the goals of maintaining the integrity of the department and the confidence of the public. The proper administration of law enforcement will only be assured if a highly professional police agency is maintained. The Virginia Port Authority Police Department has made diligent efforts to achieve this professional status, and it is our desire to provide the means whereby it will be sustained.

• Procedures:
  • Every citizen has the right to make a complaint against or recommend a commendation on any employee of the VPA Police Department. The complaint may be made to any official VPA Police employee. A complaint may be made in person, by telephone, by mail, by email. Complaints may also be made anonymously. The Department will release to the complaining party a copy of his or her own signed statement when the complaint is filed in person. All others will be mailed.

  Once a complaint is received, the following procedure is followed:

  1. The complaint is forwarded to a manager within the department, where it is given a case number and assigned for investigation.
  2. The person filing will be sent a letter acknowledging the department has received the complaint / commendation and indicating the case number.
  3. Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Chief of Police or designee for final disposition and appropriate action
  4. The complainant will be sent another letter advising that the investigation has been completed and findings of the investigation.

  Note: The average time it takes to process and investigate a complaint is between 1 and 6 months, however each case is unique.

Virginia Port Authority: Terminal Safety Excellence Program (TSEP § 62.1-132.11)

Are you ready to become a member of the finest Port Police Department in the nation?

The Virginia Port Authority is seeking quality individuals motivated to make a positive impact in a unique and challenging environment.

If you are interested in joining our team as a police officer, police command center operator, or port security officer?

Visit our careers page or contact a recruiter at VPAPDRecruiting@portofvirginia.com or by phone at 757-440-4029

In July of 2020, the Virginia Department of State Police Uniform Crime Reporting Unit began collecting investigatory stop data following the passage of the Community Policing Data Collection Act. The new law requires Virginia Law Enforcement agencies to record specific data for every vehicle stop, including reasons for the stop, demographic information, and how the stop concluded. This data is then submitted to a statewide Community Policing Reporting Database maintained by the Virginia State Police.

On July 1, 2021, the data collection will expand to all persons subject to an investigatory (nonconsensual) stop. Additionally, the following data must also be collected; whether the person stopped speaks English; whether any law enforcement officer used any physical force against any person during the stop; and whether any person used physical force against any law enforcement officer during the stop.

The Virginia Port Authority Police Department supports this new state law, and it may result in drivers who are pulled over being asked for certain demographic information.

The law also explicitly prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in bias-based profiling, defined as actions based solely on the real or perceived race, ethnicity, age, gender, or other non-criminal characteristics of an individual. Statewide data will be analyzed to determine the prevalence of bias-based profiling and complaints alleging the use of excessive force.

The Virginia Port Authority Police Department remains committed to serving with the utmost respect while remaining engaged and transparent with our community. The information and data collected as a result of the Community Policing Act will further enable us to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest professional standards.

We are pleased to announce that the public can now access Virginia Port Authority Police Department-specific and statewide data here: Virginia Community Policing Act Data Collection.