Patrol

Patrol operations for the City of Norfolk are divided among the First, Second, and Third patrol divisions. Each is divided into three sectors designated Blue, Gold or Red. A sector lieutenant oversees the patrol and community-oriented policing functions in each sector and answers to the patrol division’s commanding officer (captain).

Each patrol division supplements its motorized patrol functions with bicycle and walking assignments. Other specialized positions include community resource and school resource officers, civilian operations officers, and various support personnel. School resource officers are assigned to each of the middle and high schools and handle various school-related police functions, including truancy. Community resource officers in each sector foster relationships and partnerships in Norfolk’s neighborhoods, businesses, schools and religious communities that contribute to a harmonious quality of life. These officers participate in meetings and interact with citizens to perpetuate proactive problem solving.

First Patrol Division

The First Patrol Division, in the southeast portion of the city, operates out of the Police Operations Center located at 3661 East Virginia Beach Boulevard.

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Second Patrol Division

The Second Patrol Division is in the northern portion of the city with administrative offices currently housed in the Norfolk Police Training Center, 2500 N. Military Highway. This facility is close to the Norfolk International Airport and the I-64 overpass.

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Third Patrol Division

The Third Patrol Division covers the central area of the city and is located at 975 Goff Street, near the intersection of Tidewater Drive and East Princess Anne Road.

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K-9 Unit

The primary function of the K-9 Unit is to augment operations of the three patrol divisions through a complement of dog teams on patrol. While all of the handlers are certified for patrol work, some are also cross trained and certified as explosive detection teams. All of the teams are certified through the Virginia Police Work Dog Association.

Dog teams search residential and commercial buildings when a burglary is suspected; track suspects that have fled from a scene; apprehend individuals suspected of committing serious felonies; assist with the control of large, unruly crowds, and respond to any other incident where it is safer for a dog team to be utilized than an officer alone. In addition to these responsibilities, members of the K-9 Unit play a crucial role on the Crowd Management Team. The explosive detector dogs also respond to bomb threat calls, suspicious package calls, and work hand in hand with the Bomb Squad.

The Norfolk Police K-9 Unit, in a continuing effort to maintain the highest professional standards, trains more than 4,000 hours a year. This ensures that members provide the best possible service to the citizens of Norfolk and are able to handle new and varied tactical situations as safely as possible.

Traffic Unit

The Traffic Unit consists of motorcycles, marked and unmarked patrol units, all of which are used for routine patrol as well special events. It also has control over the school crossing guards assigned to schools throughout the city.

The motorcycle unit conducts regular motorcycle training sessions to maintain their proficiency. They participate in all the parades in the city and have been part of parades in adjoining communities as well. They occasionally have been sent to other localities to assist in funeral processions for fallen officers.

The officers assigned to the Traffic Unit perform multiple duties including controlling traffic at major events in the city, escorting funerals, investigating traffic crashes and, of course, enforcing traffic regulations. They have also been called upon to provide special escorts for dignitaries visiting the city to include the President, Vice President and members of their families. Escorts have also been provided for various members of the Cabinet and occasionally for dignitaries from outside the country.

Officers investigate fatality crashes and notify the next of kin of the victims when tragic accidents occur. The Traffic Unit responds to citizen complaints of traffic related matters and shares data from a radar trailer with the city’s Transportation Division to determine which areas of the city need additional monitoring and/or enforcement to control speeders. Officers from the Traffic Unit conduct safety talks for both military and civilian agencies upon request.

Members of the motor carrier team, another component of the Traffic Unit, inspect and weigh commercial vehicles in the city and issue overweight violations as required. A motor carrier unit van used to carry scales and computer equipment to enhance the inspection capabilities of the unit as well as provide a rolling office to handle all the attendant paperwork is a critical part of the unit.

These officers also handle complaints of trucks in areas with restrictions for thru truck traffic.

Traffic Unit officers also handle complaints regarding taxi and limousine violations and perform routine inspections and certification of the taxi cabs in service within the city. The officers involved perform the inspections on a semi-annual or annual basis depending on the age of the taxi.

Animal Management Center

The Norfolk Animal Management Center cares for all stray, abandoned, sick and injured animals brought in by humane officers and citizens, and has been the primary animal shelter for the City of Norfolk since July, 1996. The shelter has the capacity to hold 250 animals with the majority of animals housed at the shelter being dogs and cats. It has also housed unusual animals such as snakes, iguanas, pigs, chickens, rabbits, turtles and a variety of birds. The shelter also maintains animals that are impounded for pending court cases and animals quarantined by the Health Department. The Animal Management Center promotes public education programs which include animal adoptions, humane education, lost and found services, and senior pet programs.

Animal Protection Unit

The Animal Protection Unit is responsible for the enforcement of animal laws including stray animal apprehension, license and rabies enforcement, and cruelty investigations. The Animal Protection Unit responds to calls during two shifts daily and is available for emergencies 24 hours a day.