FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Review the categories listed here for information pertaining to the Department's most
frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not included, please email the webmaster.
Crime Prevention
Office of Professional Standards
Central Records
Office of Fiscal Management
Crime Prevention
How is Neighborhood Watch organized?
A representative from the Crime Prevention Unit will visit your civic league or neighborhood association to help you get started. We suggest that you discuss this idea with your members first to find out how many will be willing to participate in the process. Three major roles need to be filled in order for Neighborhood Watch to function properly: one Coordinator, several Block Captains, and numerous “Watchers.” Call the Crime Prevention Unit at 757-664-6901 to set this up.
We would like a speaker for our meeting. Who do we call?
The Crime Prevention Unit serves as the Speaker’s Bureau for the Norfolk Police Department. Call the Crime Prevention Unit at 757-664-6901 to make arrangements.
I hear that you have a service where officers will come to my home and tell me what I need to do to make it safer. How much does this cost?
You’re referring to a Home Security Survey. There is no cost for this service, nor for the Business Security Survey which is conducted the same way. We will arrange a time that is mutually convenient for you and the inspecting officer. Call the Crime Prevention Unit at 757-664-6901 to make arrangements.
Do you have any tips for staying safe during the holidays?
Yes, we have a list of holiday safety tips available on our website, along with a number of Crime Prevention handouts. Go to the Norfolk Police Department’s homepage on the city’s website: www.norfolk.gov. See the brochures listed under Crime Prevention Unit. Feel free to duplicate and distribute.
Our organization would like to have McGruff, the Crime Dog as a special guest for children at an upcoming event. Will an officer be available on this date?
McGruff the Crime Dog can appear at community events as long as requirements in the “Borrower’s Responsibilities Form” are met. Officers, however, do not perform the role of McGruff. A member of your organization can wear the McGruff costume for your event, as long as it takes place within the City of Norfolk. The wearer of the costume must behave in a friendly, appropriate manner and may not use tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs while the costume is worn. Your organization is required to have the trench coat and trousers dry cleaned prior to returning the costume to the Crime Prevention Unit (accompanied by receipt from dry cleaners).
How and where do I register a bicycle?
Individuals residing in the City of Norfolk may register and obtain a Bike Registration Decal by taking the
bicycle to one of the locations listed below during normal business hours and completing the required
registration application. Once obtained the decal must be affixed to the bicycle as set forth in City
Code Section 25-380. Click here for additional infomation.
The bicycle being registered must be present in order for Officer to verify the Serial Number.
We are unable to post the registration form as they are serialized to match the decal that the citizens receive when they register.
Registration Location:
Police Operations Center – 3661 E Virginia Beach Blvd.
Phone: 757-664-7012
2nd Patrol Division – 2500 N Military Hwy
Phone: 757-664-6900
3rd Patrol Division – 975 Goff St.
Phone: 757-823-4433
ODU Police Department – 4516 Monarch Way
Phone: 757-683-4000
Office of Professional Standards
How do I make a complaint against a Norfolk Police Officer for misconduct?
The best way to make a complaint against an officer is to contact a supervisor at the division where the officer is assigned or contact the Office of Professional Standards at 757-664-6159 and speak to one of the assigned sergeants about the incident. The contact information for any division or unit of the Norfolk Police Department is contained on the Norfolk Police website.
(Patrol Contact Information)
If I make a complaint will I be notified of the outcome?
Yes, depending on the type of complaint you will be notified by telephone or in writing of the outcome.
If I make a complaint will I receive a copy of the complaint?
Yes, if you make a formal complaint you will receive a copy of the complaint form.
Central Records Division
How do I know if someone has a warrant?
The Norfolk Police Department maintains the website where photographs and information of wanted people are displayed. You can use this webpage to search for wanted persons using the Warrant Inquiry system. http://www.norfolk.gov/Police/wanted_person.asp. When you arrive at the site, simply click on the letter that corresponds with the suspected wanted person’s last name.
How do I report information to Crime line?
Call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887). The prompter will guide you through the process of placing your call.
Where is the Police Operations Center located?
The Police Operations Center is located at 3661 E. Va. Beach Blvd
How do I get fingerprints, police reports, accident reports and Criminal histories?
Fingerprints and copies of Offense and Accident Reports can be obtained at the Police Operations Center located at 3661 E. Va. Beach Blvd Norfolk, VA 23502 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. You can also contact the Central Records Division at 757-664-7012. Upon entering the main entrance, simply see the clerk at the Public Service Counter located to your left. Must bring two forms of ID Acceptable Forms of ID are as follows Primary: which include Driver’s License, Military ID, Federal ID, State ID & Secondary: Which Includes Passport, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate & Voters Registration Card. Criminal Background Checks can be obtained by going to the Virginia State Police website and following the instructions on the link below.
Criminal Background Checks (Virginia State Police) PDF
- Fee Schedule (Cash & Company Checks Only No Credit/Debit Cards)
- Accident report-$1.00
- Offense Report-$1.00
- Fingerprinting-$5.00 (Must Provide Your Own Card, Filled Out in Black Ink only, No Highlighted Marks)
- Taxi Permit New/Renewal-$50.00 (Must Provide Notarized Application & Current DMV Abstract)
- Duplicate Taxi Permit-$10.00 (Must Provide Notarized Application & Current DMV Abstract)
How do I find out if a relative is in the Norfolk City Jail?
Norfolk Police Department does not maintain a listing of jail inmates that information can be obtained by calling the Norfolk City Jail at 757-664-4700.
How do I get an alarm permit and how much does it cost?
City of Norfolk Alarm System Ordinance sec. 33-96 requires all alarm system users to obtain a permit to operate an alarm system within the city of Norfolk. Alarm permits can be obtained at the Police Operations Center (3661 E. Va. Beach Blvd) or downloaded here. There is no cost for the Alarm User Permit. There is a charge however to Operate as an Alarm Company Operator and the application for that can also be downloaded here or obtained from the Police Operations Center.
Alarm User Permit
Alarm Company Operator Permit
Please mail the permit to:
- False Alarm Permits
- Norfolk Police Department
- Central Records Division
- 3661 E. Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Do I need to register or obtain a permit in order to purchase a gun?
No, but a criminal history is required prior to purchase.
How do I get a concealed Weapons Permit?
Application for Concealed Weapons Permits can be obtained at the Clerks Office of The Norfolk Circuit Court.
How do I find specific laws for the City of Norfolk and the state of Virginia?
Laws pertaining to the City of Norfolk can be found at Municode.com. When you arrive at the site, click on library then, at the bottom of the page, click Norfolk City Ordinances. For state law, go to http://legis.state.va.us/Law/codeofVa.htm.
I was told I have property to be picked up at Property and Accounting; where is that located?
Property and Accounting is located at 811 E. City Hall Ave Norfolk, VA 23510. This is the same building that houses the City Jail and General District Court. After entering the main entrance, turn right then take the next right. Property and Accounting is located at the end of the hall. Bring a valid picture identification card.
How do I evict someone from my house and can Norfolk Police assist?
No, the police will not evict someone from your residence. Evicting someone from your home is a civil issue and Norfolk police has extremely limited power reference civil issues. You need to call Norfolk General District Civil Courts at 757-664-4913 or 757-664-4914. The civil courts are located in the Public Safety Building (811E. City Hall Ave). This is the same building that houses the jail and Traffic/Criminal court.
Office of Fiscal Management
How do I find information about the current Norfolk Police Department budget?
The budget for the Police Department can be found on Norfolk’s Office of Budget and Management’s website (http://www.norfolk.gov/budget/BudgetBooks.asp). You will be directed to the current approved budget book as well as approved budget books from prior years. Click on the appropriate year, and select Departmental Budgets. Norfolk Police Department’s budget will be under Public Safety. To review the approved budget, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download this application at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
I am interested in seeing how much the Norfolk Police Department spent during the previous fiscal year. Where can I find this report?
At the end of every fiscal year, Norfolk’s Finance and Business Services Department publishes a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This document will show how much the City of Norfolk, including the Police Department spent as well as how much revenue the City received. You can view the CAFR at http://www.norfolk.gov/FBS/CAFRReport.asp. To review this document, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download this application at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
I would like to apply to the Norfolk Police Department, but I am unsure what type of compensation and/or benefits I would receive if I were hired. Where can I obtain a detailed pay plan and benefits?
At the beginning of every fiscal year, Norfolk’s Department of Human Resources publishes the Compensation Plan for city employees. The Police Department’s pay schedule and benefits are included in this publication. You can find it in .pdf format at http://www.norfolk.gov/Human_Resources. For civilian personnel, compensation would be included in the City’s General Compensation Plan. For sworn personnel, compensation would be included in the Police Compensation Plan. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Compensation Plan. You can download this application at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
How should I contact Fiscal Management? Is the Office of Fiscal Management for the Norfolk Police Department located at the Police Operations Center?
No. The administrative offices for the Police Department are located at 100 Brooke Avenue in Downtown Norfolk, across from the Federal Building. To contact the Office of Fiscal Management, please call 757-664-6428. The Police Operations center is located at 3661 East Virginia Beach Boulevard. The phone number there is 757-664-7000.
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