Fairfax County Police Department
Encyclopedia
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency, located in northern Virginia
. The FCPD services a population of 1,081,726 citizens within 395 square miles (1,023 km²) of Fairfax County, Virginia
.
The stated mission of the department is to "protect persons and property by providing public safety services, and the fair and impartial enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the County of Fairfax, while promoting community involvement, as well as stability and order through service, assistance and visibility."
Chief McIntosh, five newly sworn police officers, and two clerks became the county’s first police department employees. Three of the new officers were assigned to patrol the county’s roads, while another was appointed detective sergeant. With far-reaching insight into what would eventually become one of the department’s main areas of concern, Chief McIntosh appointed the fifth officer, John A. Millan as traffic sergeant on motorcycle patrol. Millan resigned shortly thereafter to accept a position as a revenue enforcement agent with the US Treasuty Department's Prohibition Bureau.
The three main divisions within the department are Patrol, Investigations/Operation, and Administration. Each division is commanded by a Deputy Chief. The Internal Affairs Bureau and the Chief's Office of Research and Support both report directly to the Chief.
I. The Investigation/Operation Division contains the Motorcycle Squad, SWAT, K-9 Section, EOD, Helicopter Unit, Crime Scene Section and the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Officers in the Motor Section keep traffic moving and control traffic at major incidents and crash scenes. They rely almost exclusively on Harley-Davidson motorcycles to get to the source of traffic problems. Specially trained and certified officers assigned to the Motor Carrier Safety Section inspect trucks and commercial vehicles for safety and legal regulations. They can force unsafe vehicles off the roads. The Crash Reconstruction Unit provides technical expertise and has investigative responsibility for most fatal crashes. The Traffic Safety Services Section acts as the department’s coordination point for all regional and departmental traffic enforcement and safety education programs. Traffic Enforcement Officers address parking issues. The Traffic Division coordinates the Auxiliary Police Officers and Volunteers in Police Service programs. APOs handle both administrative and operational tasks, such as augmenting patrol, traffic control, and taking police reports. VIPS perform primarily administrative tasks throughout the department.
The primary investigative branch of the Department is divided into specializations: Major Crimes (murder, sex crimes, assault, robbery, vehicle theft, financial crimes, and crimes against children), Organized Crime and Narcotics, Criminal Intelligence, and Investigative Support (crime scene, fingerprints, etc.).
II. The Administration Division contains the Criminal Justice Academy, Central Records, the property room and the Public Information Office.
The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy trains recruits and prepares officers through constant, updated training and conducts the Citizen’s Police Academy.
III. The Patrol Division contains Animal Control, Youth Services Division, and station detectives for property crimes.
Animal Control officers are specially trained law enforcement officers who investigate dog bites and attacks and complaints of animal cruelty. They respond to emergencies involving sick or injured domestic animals and enforce county codes and state laws pertaining to animals. They remove strays from the community, often impounding them at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter where many can be reunited with their owners or adopted by new owners.
The vast majority of patrol officers operate out of eight district stations, which are as follows:
Channel 16 is the Fairfax County local Government-access television cable TV channel which delivers news and information about Fairfax County as well as Educational-access television programming. The Fairfax County Police Department has a 30-minute television show on Channel 16, which airs five times a week.
On the Beat
Honor Guard
Founded in 1980, the Ceremonial Honor Guard is a non-standing unit
made up of career and auxiliary officers. It is one of the largest police
Honor Guards in Virginia with 43 specially selected officers from the
department’s rank and file. Selection criteria include prior experience,
professional image, uniform appearance, personal grooming standards,
motivation, stature/bearing, interest in Honor Guard activities, and positive
attitude. In 2008, they participated in 83 events and assignments and
monthly practices to ensure their readiness at a moment’s notice.
Road DAWG (Don’t Associate With Gangs)
Increased gang activity across the region prompted
growth in the number of Road DAWG camps in the
county from one to three (at Mount Vernon, Reston
and West Springfield Districts). The camp program was
created to build healthy decision-making skills; help
youths resist the draw of gangs and show them a fun
and friendly side of police officers.
Soccer Program for At-Risk Youths
Members of Hispanic communities in the Franconia
District and police officers came together to produce
a series of soccer tournaments for kids between the
ages of 7 and 16. The aim of “United for the Sport”
is to build stronger relationships between the two.
It continues today with the addition of human services,
social services, and other county agencies.
Communications
In 2008, the Public Information Office embraced new technology
and new media to launch the department’s messages to more
members of the public. Taking advantage of the social networking
phenomena, information was posted on Fairfax County’s Facebook
and Twitter accounts, which are monitored and maintained by the
Office of Public Affairs. In addition, the police department started
an FCPD YouTube site, posting informational and educational
videos and information.
Attention to Senior Citizens
Seniors and Law Enforcement (SALT) is a joint program
to address crime-related and public safety issues
affecting seniors in the community. Franconia District
crime prevention officers met with SALT council
members on a monthly basis to discuss safety and
emergency preparedness.
Animal Control
Animal Control officers are specially
trained law enforcement officers who
investigate dog bites and attacks and
complaints of animal cruelty. They respond
to emergencies involving sick or injured
domestic animals and enforce county
codes and state laws pertaining to animals.
They remove strays from the community,
often impounding them at the Fairfax
County Animal Shelter where many can be reunited
with their owners or adopted by new owners.
Explorer Program
Forty-four young people between the ages of 14
and 21, male and female, with an interest in possible
law enforcement careers fill the ranks of the Fairfax
County Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1742. Active
since 1975, the post supports the mission of the Fairfax
County Police Department by providing volunteer
support at police and community events. In addition
to service, the Explorers learn and compete in events
testing some of the basic skills involved in a wide range
of police assignments.
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
. The FCPD services a population of 1,081,726 citizens within 395 square miles (1,023 km²) of Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
.
The stated mission of the department is to "protect persons and property by providing public safety services, and the fair and impartial enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the County of Fairfax, while promoting community involvement, as well as stability and order through service, assistance and visibility."
History
The Fairfax County Police Department came into existence July 1, 1940. Much of the credit for its establishment goes to the man who was then Fairfax County Sheriff, Eppa Kirby, a colorful character who never carried a gun. Overwhelmed with managing the inadequate county jail and law enforcement duties, Sheriff Kirby persuaded the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to relieve him of his responsibilities for criminal police work by forming the police department. At the helm was Carl McIntosh, a deputy sheriff who became Fairfax County’s first chief of police.Chief McIntosh, five newly sworn police officers, and two clerks became the county’s first police department employees. Three of the new officers were assigned to patrol the county’s roads, while another was appointed detective sergeant. With far-reaching insight into what would eventually become one of the department’s main areas of concern, Chief McIntosh appointed the fifth officer, John A. Millan as traffic sergeant on motorcycle patrol. Millan resigned shortly thereafter to accept a position as a revenue enforcement agent with the US Treasuty Department's Prohibition Bureau.
Accreditation
The department achieved its third reaccreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission in June 2009. Fairfax County is the first police department in the Commonwealth of Virginia to accomplish this milestone.Organization
The current Chief of Police is Colonel David M. Rohrer.The three main divisions within the department are Patrol, Investigations/Operation, and Administration. Each division is commanded by a Deputy Chief. The Internal Affairs Bureau and the Chief's Office of Research and Support both report directly to the Chief.
I. The Investigation/Operation Division contains the Motorcycle Squad, SWAT, K-9 Section, EOD, Helicopter Unit, Crime Scene Section and the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Officers in the Motor Section keep traffic moving and control traffic at major incidents and crash scenes. They rely almost exclusively on Harley-Davidson motorcycles to get to the source of traffic problems. Specially trained and certified officers assigned to the Motor Carrier Safety Section inspect trucks and commercial vehicles for safety and legal regulations. They can force unsafe vehicles off the roads. The Crash Reconstruction Unit provides technical expertise and has investigative responsibility for most fatal crashes. The Traffic Safety Services Section acts as the department’s coordination point for all regional and departmental traffic enforcement and safety education programs. Traffic Enforcement Officers address parking issues. The Traffic Division coordinates the Auxiliary Police Officers and Volunteers in Police Service programs. APOs handle both administrative and operational tasks, such as augmenting patrol, traffic control, and taking police reports. VIPS perform primarily administrative tasks throughout the department.
The primary investigative branch of the Department is divided into specializations: Major Crimes (murder, sex crimes, assault, robbery, vehicle theft, financial crimes, and crimes against children), Organized Crime and Narcotics, Criminal Intelligence, and Investigative Support (crime scene, fingerprints, etc.).
II. The Administration Division contains the Criminal Justice Academy, Central Records, the property room and the Public Information Office.
The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy trains recruits and prepares officers through constant, updated training and conducts the Citizen’s Police Academy.
III. The Patrol Division contains Animal Control, Youth Services Division, and station detectives for property crimes.
Animal Control officers are specially trained law enforcement officers who investigate dog bites and attacks and complaints of animal cruelty. They respond to emergencies involving sick or injured domestic animals and enforce county codes and state laws pertaining to animals. They remove strays from the community, often impounding them at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter where many can be reunited with their owners or adopted by new owners.
The vast majority of patrol officers operate out of eight district stations, which are as follows:
- Mason District
- McLean District
- Mount Vernon District
- Fair Oaks District
- Franconia District
- Reston District
- Sully District
- West Springfield District
Urbanization
The continued urbanization of the County creates additional impacts on the ability of the department to provide service to the community. The department is studying the impacts of the proposed redevelopment of Tysons Corner, and other projects throughout the County that will result in more transit-oriented land use patterns. As a result of preliminary impact assessments of ongoing and future development patterns in the County, the department anticipates a future need to create two new patrol districts, while realigning existing districts to accommodate the demands created by this anticipated growth. The Patrol Bureau is developing mechanisms for predicting the level of staffing that may be required in the future to meet these challenges while maintaining service quality.On the Beat
The department has its own television show on Channel 16 called, “On the Beat,” which seeks to educate the public on the mission of the department and provide information on public safety.Channel 16 is the Fairfax County local Government-access television cable TV channel which delivers news and information about Fairfax County as well as Educational-access television programming. The Fairfax County Police Department has a 30-minute television show on Channel 16, which airs five times a week.
On the Beat
Programs
Fairfax County Police has several programs that are ongoing and short-term, depending on the needs of the community. Some examples includeHonor Guard
Founded in 1980, the Ceremonial Honor Guard is a non-standing unit
made up of career and auxiliary officers. It is one of the largest police
Honor Guards in Virginia with 43 specially selected officers from the
department’s rank and file. Selection criteria include prior experience,
professional image, uniform appearance, personal grooming standards,
motivation, stature/bearing, interest in Honor Guard activities, and positive
attitude. In 2008, they participated in 83 events and assignments and
monthly practices to ensure their readiness at a moment’s notice.
Road DAWG (Don’t Associate With Gangs)
Increased gang activity across the region prompted
growth in the number of Road DAWG camps in the
county from one to three (at Mount Vernon, Reston
and West Springfield Districts). The camp program was
created to build healthy decision-making skills; help
youths resist the draw of gangs and show them a fun
and friendly side of police officers.
Soccer Program for At-Risk Youths
Members of Hispanic communities in the Franconia
District and police officers came together to produce
a series of soccer tournaments for kids between the
ages of 7 and 16. The aim of “United for the Sport”
is to build stronger relationships between the two.
It continues today with the addition of human services,
social services, and other county agencies.
Communications
In 2008, the Public Information Office embraced new technology
and new media to launch the department’s messages to more
members of the public. Taking advantage of the social networking
phenomena, information was posted on Fairfax County’s Facebook
and Twitter accounts, which are monitored and maintained by the
Office of Public Affairs. In addition, the police department started
an FCPD YouTube site, posting informational and educational
videos and information.
Attention to Senior Citizens
Seniors and Law Enforcement (SALT) is a joint program
to address crime-related and public safety issues
affecting seniors in the community. Franconia District
crime prevention officers met with SALT council
members on a monthly basis to discuss safety and
emergency preparedness.
Animal Control
Animal Control officers are specially
trained law enforcement officers who
investigate dog bites and attacks and
complaints of animal cruelty. They respond
to emergencies involving sick or injured
domestic animals and enforce county
codes and state laws pertaining to animals.
They remove strays from the community,
often impounding them at the Fairfax
County Animal Shelter where many can be reunited
with their owners or adopted by new owners.
Explorer Program
Forty-four young people between the ages of 14
and 21, male and female, with an interest in possible
law enforcement careers fill the ranks of the Fairfax
County Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1742. Active
since 1975, the post supports the mission of the Fairfax
County Police Department by providing volunteer
support at police and community events. In addition
to service, the Explorers learn and compete in events
testing some of the basic skills involved in a wide range
of police assignments.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Fairfax County Police Department, 5 officers have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer Karen Jean Bassford | |
Automobile accident |
| Sandy Gideonse | |
Automobile accident |
| Captain Tommy F. Bernal | |
Motorcycle accident |
| Detective Vicky Anne Owen Armel | |
Gunfire |
| Master Police Officer Michael E. Garbarino | |
Gunfire |
| Second Lieutenant Francis Joseph (Frank) Stecco | |
Drowned |
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Virginia
- Fairfax County Sheriff's Office