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Purpose (CALEA 1.2.10):

To establish a set of viable rules and regulations that are, designed to support existing policies and procedures. The intent of these rules and regulations is to define, clarify, and emphasize certain substantive areas, which may be unique or have specific applicability to the Department of Police. The enforcement of any rule or regulation requires the reasonable application of judgment and a certain amount of discretion. All personnel who are in positions of authority should be cognizant of the duties and responsibilities of their subordinates and of the personal and social factors that may affect the performance of those duties and responsibilities. Likewise, all personnel, regardless of position should be cognizant of their responsibility to follow, report violations, and support the adherence to these rules or Department Policies by others. The below rules shall apply to sworn and non-sworn members unless specifically identified for sworn positions.

Policy:

All members of this Department are hereby governed by the following Rules and Regulations. If any section, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of these Rules and Regulations is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof. Department Rules (CALEA 12.2.1 G)

1. Conformance to Laws and Reporting Violations of the Law

  • Members shall obey all laws of the United States and of any state and local jurisdiction in which the member is present. Additionally, members shall obey any and all court orders.
  • A conviction for violation of any law shall constitute conclusive evidence of a violation of this section. A conviction is not required to establish a violation of this rule, nor does a dismissal of criminal charges by a court constitute grounds to unfound a violation of this rule. In addition, any member who is convicted of or there is found to be sufficient evidence to establish violated any law involving moral turpitude or the illegal possession, use, or distribution of drugs shall be dismissed provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude the dismissal of a member who is convicted of or there is found to be sufficient evidence to establish the member violated any other law, of whatever nature, in situations where the circumstances warrant dismissal.
  • Sworn law enforcement officers are vested by law with the responsibility to prevent the commission of crimes and offenses; to observe and enforce state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances; and to detect and report offenders. Consistent with this responsibility every member of this department, immediately upon learning of any information which leads to reasonable suspicion that any other member(s) of the department, whether on or off-duty, is in violation of, or has violated, any local, state, or federal criminal statute, law, or ordinance, shall immediately notify an investigator assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau. When circumstances so dictate, the Internal Affairs investigator will notify the appropriate criminal investigation supervisory personnel.

2. Conduct Unbecoming

  • Members shall conduct themselves at all times, in such a manner as to reflect most favorably on the department. Conduct unbecoming is any conduct that may adversely affect the morale, operations or efficiency of the department or any conduct that may adversely affect, lower or destroy public respect and confidence in the department or the employee. Conduct unbecoming also includes any conduct that may bring the department into disrepute, or may bring discredit upon the officer, employee or department.
  • Members who interact on social media sites including but not limited to; social networking sites Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., blogs, photo, and video sharing sites, wikis, and news sites that permit user contributed content are subject to the standards outlined in section “a” above and City Administrative Directive 2.15, Social Media Sites. A violation of the standards in section “a” above or Administrative Directive 2.15 may lead to discipline up to and including dismissal. No member shall knowingly post official photographs, video images, audio files or text documents that belong to the Department without the expressed written permission of the Commander of the Internal Affairs Bureau.

3. Abuse of Position:

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers, civilian employees, ancillary personnel and volunteers shall not use their official position, official identification or badge, (1) for personal or financial gain, except for authorized part-time employment; (2) for obtaining privileges not otherwise available to them except in the performance of duty; or (3) for avoiding consequences of illegal acts. They shall not lend to another person their identification card or badge or permit them to be photographed or reproduced without the approval of the Police Chief.
  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers, civilian employees, ancillary personnel, and volunteers shall not represent themselves as a member of this Department in connection with testimonials or advertisements (where applicable in Code of Ethics) of any commodity or commercial enterprise, without the approval of the Police Chief.
  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers, civilian employees, ancillary personnel, and volunteers shall not use their position, rank, or auxiliary authority to direct or influence other members into unethical, unlawful, or other actions detrimental to the mission and good order of the police department.

4. Unsatisfactory Performance

  • Members shall maintain sufficient competency to properly perform their duties and assume the responsibility of their positions. Members shall perform their duties in a manner that will maintain the highest standards of efficiency in carrying out the functions and objectives of the Department.
  • Unsatisfactory performance includes but is not limited to a lack of knowledge of the application of laws required to be enforced, an unwillingness or inability to perform assigned tasks, failure on the part of an employee to properly notify a supervisor of critical information pertaining to a situation that may require immediate action, failure to take appropriate action on the occasion of a crime, disorder, or other conditions deserving police attention. In addition to other indications of unsatisfactory performance, repeated poor evaluations, or a written record of repeated infractions of rules, regulations, directives, or orders of the Department could constitute unsatisfactory performance.

5. Disobedience of Orders

  • Members of the Department shall promptly obey any lawful order of a supervisory member, including any order relayed from a supervisor by an employee of the same or lesser rank.
  • Members shall obey all City and Departmental rules, regulations, and General Orders.

6. Conflicting or Illegal Orders

  • Members who are given an otherwise proper order, but which conflicts with a previous order, rule, regulation, or directive, shall inform the supervisory member issuing the order of the conflict. If the supervisory member issuing the order does not alter or retract the conflicting order, the order shall stand. Under these circumstances, the responsibility for the conflict shall be upon the supervisory member. Members shall obey the conflicting order and shall not be held responsible for disobedience of the order, rule, regulation, or directive previously issued.
  • Members shall not obey any order which they know or should know or have a reasonable belief that would require them to commit any illegal act. If in doubt about the legality of an order, members shall request the issuing member to clarify the order or to confer with higher authority.

7. Insubordination

  • Members shall willingly submit to reasonable authority and shall not disregard expressed or implied directions of a supervisor.

8. Disrespect

  • Members shall not, through gestures, defamatory statements or any other means, be disrespectful to a supervisor or any other member of the department.

9. Courtesy

  • Members shall be courteous to the public and other members of the department. Members shall be tactful in the performance of their duties, must control their tempers and exercise the utmost patience and discretion, and shall not engage in argumentative discussions, even in the face of extreme provocation. While on duty or in the performance of their duties, members shall not use unnecessarily abusive language or gestures and shall not express any prejudice concerning race, religion, politics, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification or any similar personal characteristics. Abusive language includes, but is not limited to, cursing, violent, profane, or obscene language and/or gestures regardless of whether the language is directed towards a citizen.

10. Treatment of Persons in Performance of Duty

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and ancillary personnel shall not mistreat persons in the performance of their duty. They shall handle persons in accordance with the law and departmental procedures.

11. Neglect of Duty

  • Members shall not engage in any activities or personal business which would cause them to neglect or be inattentive to duty.

12. Sleeping on Duty

  • Members shall remain awake on duty. If unable to do so, they shall report to their supervisor who shall determine the proper course of action.

13. Personal Appearance

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and Ancillary personnel on duty shall wear uniforms or be dressed in accordance with established departmental/division/unit policies and procedures.
  • Except when acting under proper and specific orders from a supervisory officer, officers on duty shall maintain a neat, well-groomed appearance and shall style their hair according to departmental policy.

14. Failure to Adequately Secure and Care for Departmental Property

  • No member will alter or repair Department equipment including vehicles, uniforms, and weapons unless specifically authorized or in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
  • Members shall utilize Department equipment only for its intended purpose in accordance with established departmental procedures and shall not abuse, damage, or lose Department equipment. All Department equipment issued to or under the control of a member shall be maintained in proper condition. All employees shall maintain custody and control of departmental equipment to prevent any unauthorized use and/or potential loss or theft.
  • Members shall report damage to any department equipment, according to departmental or City policy.
  • Cleaning Departmental Property
    • It is expected that members will clean and maintain their issued equipment, when necessary, at their command and while on duty.
    • In those unusual circumstances in which a nonexempt member must clean and/or maintain City/Department issued equipment while off duty, and has not obtained prior approval, that member must notify his supervisor. The time may be approved if it is justified and reasonable. It is the supervisor's responsibility to ensure that the circumstances requiring the off-duty activity is justified. The supervisor will also be responsible for carefully inspecting the equipment to ensure that it is clean and in good working order. If there is any question or concern about the condition of the equipment, the appropriate supervisor should be consulted.

15. Departmental Reports

  • Members shall submit all necessary reports on time and in accordance with established departmental procedures. Reports submitted by members shall be truthful and complete; and no member shall knowingly enter or cause to be entered any inaccurate, false, or improper information.

16. Employment Outside Department: Deleted

  • See General Order 2.14 Off Duty Employment

17. Use or Possession of Alcohol, Drugs, or Steroids: Deleted

  • See City of Virginia Beach Human Resources Policy 6.15, Substance Abuse Policy.

18. Failure to Assist Another Officer or Citizen

  • Officers shall assist another officer or citizen.

19. Requests for Assistance

  • When any person applies for assistance or advice or makes complaints or reports, either by telephone or in person, all pertinent information shall be obtained and recorded in an official and courteous manner and shall be properly and judiciously acted upon, consistent with established departmental procedures.

20. Report of Investigation

  • Members shall notify the Department within 24 hours if they are, or have knowledge, that another member of the Department is, under investigation, or have been charged with violating any criminal statute or court order, by any law enforcement agency, other than the Virginia Beach Police Department. Those members authorized to operate city owned vehicles shall report any involvement in traffic accidents, having been charged with a traffic violation, or any operator license suspension.

21. Telephone and Address Information

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and ancillary personnel shall have a cellular telephone or a telephone in their residence and shall immediately report any change of telephone number or address to their supervisory members and to such other persons as may be appropriate to include updating said information in Insite.

22. Absent Without Leave

  • Members shall not be absent from duty without proper authorization. Members shall report promptly to a supervisory member any anticipated absence from duty in accordance with City Human Resources policies and Department policies.

23. Reporting for Duty or Court

  • Members shall report for duty at the time and place required by assignment or orders and shall be fit to perform their duties. They shall be properly equipped and cognizant of information required for the proper performance of duty so that they may immediately assume their duties. Members shall also attend court as required or stipulated.

24. Leaving Duty Post

  • Members shall not leave their assigned duty posts during a shift except when authorized by proper authority.

25. Public Statements and Appearances

  • Members shall not publicly criticize or ridicule the Department, its policies, or other members by speech, writing, or other expression, where such speech, writing, or other expression is defamatory, obscene, unlawful, interferes with maintenance of discipline, or is made with reckless disregard for truth or is false while representing or implying that they represent the Department in such matters.
  • Members shall not address public gatherings, appear on radio or television, prepare any articles for publication, act as correspondent to a newspaper or a periodical, release or divulge investigative information, or any other matters of the Department while implying that they represent the Department in such matters without proper authority.

26. Use of Police Vehicles

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and ancillary personnel shall not permit any person not on official police business to ride in a Department vehicle unless specifically authorized.

27. Operating Vehicles:

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and ancillary personnel shall operate official vehicles in a careful and prudent manner and obey all laws and all departmental orders pertaining to such operation.

28. Use of Weapons:

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and ancillary personnel shall not unlawfully or unnecessarily use or display a weapon.
  • Whenever a firearm is discharged by a member in the performance of his duty, he shall immediately make an oral report to a supervisor in the precinct of occurrence and follow this with a written report.

29. Processing Property and Evidence:

  • Property and evidence which has been discovered, gathered, or received in connection with departmental responsibilities shall be processed in accordance with established departmental procedures. Members shall not convert to their own use, manufacture, conceal, falsify, destroy, remove, tamper with, or withhold any property or evidence in connection with an investigation or other police action, except in accordance with established departmental procedures.

30. Use of Tobacco:

  • As a condition of employment, sworn personnel are not permitted to use tobacco or tobacco products including a vape or chewing tobacco on or off duty. Reference Virginia State Codes §27-40.1 and §51.1-813. State Code §51.1-813 is the Heart Lung Presumption allowing municipalities to restrict employees from using tobacco products.

31. Dissemination of Information:

  • Members shall treat the official business of the Department as confidential. Information regarding official business shall be disseminated only to those for whom it is intended and in accordance with established departmental procedures. Members may remove or copy official records or reports from a police installation only in accordance with established departmental procedures. Members shall not divulge the identity of persons giving confidential information except as authorized by proper authority.

32. Political Activity: (Deleted)

  • This rule has been deleted - Refer to City Ordinance 90-1987, which addresses this subject (Section 2-90 of the Municipal Code).

33. Opinions Concerning Court Fines and Penalties:

  • Members shall not render an opinion regarding court fines or penalties.

34. Endorsement and Referrals:

  • Members shall not recommend or suggest in any manner, except in the transaction of personal business, the employment or procurement of a particular product, professional service, or commercial service (such as an attorney, ambulance service, towing service, bondsman, mortician, etc.). In the case of ambulance or towing service, when such service is necessary and the person needing the service is unable or unwilling to procure it or requests assistance, members shall proceed in accordance with established departmental procedures.

35. Associations:

  • Members shall avoid regular or continuous associations or dealings with persons under criminal investigation or indictment or who have been convicted of a felony, except as necessary in the performance of official duties, or where unavoidable because of personal relationships of the members.

36. Gifts, Gratuities, Bribes, or Rewards:

  • Police Officers, Animal Control Officers, and ancillary personnel shall not solicit or accept from any person, business, or organization any gift (including money, accommodation, discount, or other thing of value) for the benefit of the member or the Department, if it may reasonably be inferred that the person, business, or organization: (1) seeks to influence the action of an official nature or seeks to affect the performance of an official duty, or (2) has an interest which may be substantially affected directly or indirectly by the performance or non-performance of an official duty, or (3) accept gifts from sources on a basis so frequent as to raise an appearance of the use of public office for private gain.

37. Seeking or Soliciting Contributions:

  • Officers in the performance of their duties or representing themselves as police officers are prohibited from seeking or soliciting contributions of any kind from anyone by any means, for any purpose, under any circumstances, except as specifically authorized by the Police Chief.

38. Truthfulness:

  • No member shall knowingly make a false statement to any department supervisor or city official. Upon the order of the Chief, the Chief's designee, or a supervisory member, members shall truthfully answer all questions specifically directed and narrowly related to the scope of employment and operations of the Department which may be asked of them. Failure to provide true and accurate information and facts, or to truthfully answer all questions specifically directed and narrowly related to the scope of employment shall result in termination.

39. Use of Polygraph, Medical Examination, Photographs, Lineups, Alcohol and Drug Tests:

  • Polygraph Examinations: Upon the written directive of the Chief, members shall submit to polygraph examinations when the examination are specifically directed and narrowly related to a particular internal investigation being conducted by the Department. When a citizen's complaint forms the basis for a non-criminal investigation, it will be the normal practice of the investigator to request that the citizen complainant submit to a polygraph examination prior to the final determination of the necessity for a member to submit to a polygraph examination. In the case of the citizen’s complainant's inability, unsuitability, or refusal to submit to a polygraph examination or due to unusual circumstances of the case the Chief may, to aid the investigation and/or protect the integrity of the Department, order members to submit to a polygraph examination at any point in the investigation.
  • Medical Examinations, Photographs and Lineups: Upon the order of the Chief or the Chief's designee, members shall submit to any medical, ballistics, chemical or other tests, photographs, or lineups. All procedures carried out under this subsection shall be specifically directed and narrowly related to a particular investigation being conducted by the Department.
  • Alcohol and/or Drugs Tests: A member who is suspected of being impaired from consuming intoxicating beverages on duty or is suspected of being under the influence of illegal controlled substances or the improper use of controlled substances on duty in violation of City of Virginia Beach Human Resources Policy 6.15, Substance Abuse Policy and meets the requirements for testing shall submit to the appropriate tests as set forth in Policy 6.15. Members assigned to Special Investigations are subject to random drug screens. Sworn police officers and animal control officers shall also be subject to random drug screens at the time of their annual physical exam and as such times as required by Human Resources Policy 6.15 Substance Abuse Policy.
  • An officer shall submit to the appropriate tests as outlined in City of Virginia Beach Human Resources Policy 6.15 Substance Abuse Policy when any of the following occurs while on duty, or while off duty and an employee has taken official police action:
    • An employee discharges a firearm that is pointed towards a person, regardless of whether an injury is sustained.

40. Financial Disclosure:

  • Upon the order of the Chief or the Chief's designee, members shall submit financial disclosure statements in accordance with departmental procedures in connection with a complaint in which this information is material to the investigation. These statements shall be maintained confidentially, separate from other personnel records by the Chief and shall not be available to the public.

41. Intervention:

  • Members shall not interfere with cases being handled by other members of the Department or by any other governmental agency unless: (1) ordered to intervene by a supervisory member; or (2) the intervening member believes beyond a reasonable doubt that a manifest injustice would result from failure to take immediate action. In addition, members shall immediately notify their supervisor and follow up by a memorandum.
  • Officers shall not undertake any investigation or other official action not part of their regular duties without obtaining permission from their supervisor unless the exigencies of the situation require immediate police action.
  • Members against whom a complaint has been made or who are subject to an administrative investigation shall not attempt, directly or indirectly, by threat, appeal, persuasion, payment of money, or other means to secure the abandonment or withdrawal of the complaint, charges, or allegations. Members shall not knowingly interfere or unnecessarily interject themselves beyond the scope of their responsibilities into an administrative investigation or other internal matter that is the responsibility of the Internal Affairs Unit.
  • All information relating to an active administrative investigation is considered confidential. Members shall not disclose or discuss details of an active administrative investigation with anyone except:
    • IA Investigator(s) assigned to the case.
    • The member’s chain-of-command, if command is investigating.
    • Member’s Legal Representation.
    • Persons specifically designated by the Police Chief or designee.

42. Identification: (CALEA 22.1.8 A)

  • Officers shall carry their badge and identification card(s) on their person at all times while conducting official police business and/or carrying a firearm, except when impractical or dangerous to their safety or to an investigation. Officers shall furnish their name, official agency identification with a photograph, and business card when practical, except when the withholding of such information is necessary for the performance of police duties or is authorized by proper authority.
  • Department members shall immediately identify themselves when conducting department business on a telephone, except when impractical or dangerous to their safety or to an investigation.

43. Fictitious Illness or Injury Reports:

  • Members shall not feign illness or injury, falsely report themselves ill or injured, or otherwise deceive or attempt to deceive any official of the Department concerning the condition of their health.

44. Meals:

  • Members shall be permitted to suspend patrol or other assigned activity, subject to immediate recall at any time, for the purpose of having meals during their hours of duty, but only for such period of time, and at such time and place, as authorized by a supervisor.

45. Arrest, Search, and Seizure:

  • Officers shall not make an arrest, search, or seizure which they know, or should know, is not in accordance with law or departmental procedures.

46. Use of Physical Force:

  • The use of physical force shall be prohibited except to the extent reasonably necessary to accomplish a valid police objective.
    • Unnecessary Use of Force: Officers and members shall not use physical force where no physical force or contact is required or otherwise permitted by department policies.
    • Excessive Use of Force: Where physical force is necessary, no officer or member shall use force in excess of that required by the circumstances or beyond that force permitted by department policies and procedures.
    • Intervention: In situations where the force used by an officer appears to be excessive, the officer observing the incident has an affirmative responsibility to intervene. Any such intervention or failure to intervene will be reported to a supervisory member and investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau.

47. Biased Policing:

  • Bias Profiling is the interdiction, detention, arrest, or other treatment of an individual based inappropriately upon one’s race, national origin, citizenship, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, economic status, or sexual orientation. Members of this department shall not consider race, national origin, citizenship, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation as the primary reason in determining whether individuals should be stopped, searched, or property seized.

Penalties

Violations of these rules may subject the member to discipline, up to and including termination in accordance with the City of Virginia Beach Human Resources Policy No. 4.02, Discipline Policy and Procedure, the guidelines set forth in General Order 2.07 Discipline, and the Administrative Investigations Field Guide.

Study Guide

Key Concepts

  • Department Rules: A set of regulations designed to support existing policies and procedures within the Virginia Beach Police Department. These rules define, clarify, and emphasize specific substantive areas relevant to the department.
  • CALEA Standards: References to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, indicating alignment with nationally recognized best practices in law enforcement.
  • Conformance to Laws: The requirement for all department members to obey all federal, state, and local laws, as well as court orders. Conviction for a law violation is conclusive evidence of a rules violation, but a conviction is not required.
  • Conduct Unbecoming: Any behavior that may negatively impact the morale, operations, or efficiency of the department, or that may lower public respect and confidence in the department or its employees. This includes conduct on social media.
  • Abuse of Position: The misuse of official position, identification, or badge for personal gain, unauthorized privileges, or to avoid legal consequences. Members are also prohibited from using their position to influence others unethically.
  • Unsatisfactory Performance: Failure to maintain competency, perform assigned tasks, properly notify supervisors of critical information, or take appropriate action in police matters. Repeated poor evaluations or infractions can also constitute unsatisfactory performance.
  • Disobedience of Orders: Failure to promptly obey any lawful order from a supervisory member or any departmental rules, regulations, and General Orders.
  • Conflicting or Illegal Orders: Procedures for handling orders that conflict with existing regulations or that would require illegal acts. Members must inform the supervisor of a conflict, but shall not obey illegal orders.
  • Insubordination: Unwillingness to submit to reasonable authority or disregarding expressed or implied directions from a supervisor.
  • Disrespect: Showing disrespect towards a supervisor or any other member of the department through gestures, defamatory statements, or other means.
  • Courtesy: The requirement for members to be courteous and tactful to the public and other members, controlling tempers and exercising patience and discretion. Abusive language and expressions of prejudice are prohibited.
  • Treatment of Persons in Performance of Duty: The mandate to handle individuals in accordance with the law and departmental procedures, prohibiting mistreatment.
  • Neglect of Duty: Engaging in activities or personal business that cause inattentiveness to duty.
  • Sleeping on Duty: Remaining awake while on duty or reporting inability to do so to a supervisor.
  • Personal Appearance: Maintaining a neat and well-groomed appearance and adhering to departmental uniform and grooming policies while on duty.
  • Failure to Adequately Secure and Care for Departmental Property: The responsibility to properly use, maintain, and secure all departmental equipment, and to report any damage.
  • Departmental Reports: The requirement to submit truthful and complete reports on time and in accordance with established procedures.
  • Failure to Assist Another Officer or Citizen: The obligation for officers to provide assistance to other officers or members of the public in need.
  • Requests for Assistance: Procedures for obtaining and acting upon information when the public requests assistance, advice, or makes complaints or reports.
  • Report of Investigation: The requirement for members to notify the department within 24 hours if they are under investigation or have knowledge of another member being investigated or charged with a crime by an outside agency.
  • Telephone and Address Information: The requirement for specified personnel to have a telephone and to report any changes in contact information.
  • Absent Without Leave: Prohibition of being absent from duty without proper authorization and the requirement to report anticipated absences.
  • Reporting for Duty or Court: The expectation for members to report on time, fit for duty, properly equipped, and knowledgeable, as well as to attend court as required.
  • Leaving Duty Post: Restriction on leaving assigned duty posts during a shift without proper authorization.
  • Public Statements and Appearances: Limitations on publicly criticizing the department and requirements for authorization before addressing public gatherings or representing the department in media.
  • Use of Police Vehicles: Restrictions on allowing unauthorized persons to ride in department vehicles and the requirement to operate vehicles safely and lawfully.
  • Use of Weapons: Prohibition of unlawfully or unnecessarily using or displaying weapons, and the requirement to report any firearm discharge during duty.
  • Processing Property and Evidence: Procedures for handling property and evidence according to departmental guidelines, prohibiting personal use, tampering, or withholding.
  • Use of Tobacco: Prohibition of tobacco use for sworn personnel, on or off duty.
  • Dissemination of Information: Treating official business as confidential and disseminating information only to authorized individuals following departmental procedures.
  • Opinions Concerning Court Fines and Penalties: Prohibition of offering opinions on court fines or penalties.
  • Endorsement and Referrals: Restriction on recommending specific products, services, or commercial enterprises, except in personal business or following departmental procedures for necessary services.
  • Associations: Avoiding regular associations with individuals under criminal investigation or with felony convictions, except in official duties or unavoidable personal relationships.
  • Gifts, Gratuities, Bribes, or Rewards: Prohibition of soliciting or accepting gifts that could be seen as an attempt to influence official actions or create an appearance of impropriety.
  • Seeking or Soliciting Contributions: Restriction on officers soliciting contributions of any kind without specific authorization from the Police Chief.
  • Truthfulness: The absolute requirement to provide truthful information to department supervisors and city officials, and to truthfully answer questions related to employment and department operations.
  • Use of Polygraph, Medical Examination, Photographs, Lineups, Alcohol and Drug Tests: Conditions under which members may be required to submit to these procedures as part of internal investigations or based on reasonable suspicion of impairment.
  • Financial Disclosure: Requirement to submit financial disclosure statements under specific circumstances related to investigations, with confidentiality maintained.
  • Intervention: Guidelines for when members should intervene in cases handled by others, the prohibition against interfering with administrative investigations, and the confidentiality of such investigations.
  • Identification: Requirement for officers to carry and present their badge and identification, and to identify themselves when conducting department business via telephone, unless safety or an investigation dictates otherwise.
  • Fictitious Illness or Injury Reports: Prohibition of feigning illness or injury or attempting to deceive the department about health conditions.
  • Meals: Permission to suspend patrol for meals, subject to immediate recall and supervisory authorization.
  • Arrest, Search, and Seizure: Prohibition of making arrests, searches, or seizures known or that should be known to be unlawful or not in accordance with procedures.
  • Use of Physical Force: Restriction on the use of physical force to only what is reasonably necessary to achieve a valid police objective, with prohibitions against unnecessary and excessive force, and a duty to intervene in cases of excessive force.
  • Biased Policing: Prohibition of interdiction, detention, arrest, or other treatment based inappropriately on protected characteristics such as race, national origin, religion, etc.
  • Penalties: Violations of these rules can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, as outlined in relevant city and department policies.

Quiz

Click a question to view the answer
The primary purpose of the rules is to establish a set of viable regulations that support existing policies and procedures. The intent is to define, clarify, and emphasize substantive areas unique or specifically applicable to the Department of Police.
Conduct unbecoming is any behavior that may negatively affect the department's morale, operations, efficiency, or public respect and confidence. Consequences can include discipline up to and including dismissal, and these standards apply to online conduct, including social media posts of official department material without authorization.
Examples of abuse of position include using one's official identification or badge for personal financial gain (except for authorized part-time employment) or for obtaining privileges not otherwise available. Another example is using one's rank or authority to direct other members into unethical or unlawful actions.
If a member receives a proper order that conflicts with a previous rule, they must inform the supervisor issuing the order of the conflict. If the supervisor does not alter or retract the order, the conflicting order stands, and the responsibility for the conflict rests with the supervisor.
Members of the department have an obligation to assist another officer or any citizen in need. This implies a duty to provide support and take appropriate action when assistance is requested or when a situation warrants intervention.
Whenever a firearm is discharged by a member in the performance of duty, they must immediately make an oral report to a supervisor in the precinct of occurrence, followed by a written report detailing the incident.
As a condition of employment, sworn personnel are not permitted to use tobacco or tobacco products, including vaping or chewing tobacco, whether on or off duty, referencing Virginia State Codes.
Upon the written directive of the Chief, members shall submit to polygraph examinations when the examination is specifically directed and narrowly related to a particular internal investigation being conducted by the Department. Typically, a citizen complainant will be asked to submit to a polygraph before a member is required to.
Biased policing, or bias profiling, is the interdiction, detention, arrest, or other treatment of an individual based inappropriately upon characteristics such as race, national origin, citizenship, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, economic status, or sexual orientation. These characteristics should not be the primary reason for stopping, searching, or seizing property.
Violations of the Department Rules and Regulations may subject a member to disciplinary action, which can range from less severe penalties up to and including termination, in accordance with city and department disciplinary policies and procedures.
The primary purpose of these rules and regulations is to establish a clear framework that supports existing departmental policies and procedures. They are designed to define, clarify, and emphasize specific areas relevant to the Department of Police. Furthermore, they ensure that all personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, understand their responsibilities in adhering to and reporting violations of these rules and other departmental policies, while also recognizing the need for reasonable judgment and discretion in their enforcement.
All members of the department are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reflects favorably on the department. This includes adhering to all laws and court orders. "Conduct unbecoming" is prohibited, encompassing any behavior that could negatively impact the department's morale, operations, efficiency, or public image. This standard extends to online behavior, including social media. Members are prohibited from posting official departmental content without explicit written permission and can face disciplinary action, up to dismissal, for online conduct that violates these standards or the city's social media directive.
Members are required to promptly obey any lawful order from a supervisory member, including those relayed through others. If an order conflicts with a previous rule or directive, the member must inform the supervisor of the conflict. If the supervisor does not retract the conflicting order, the new order stands, and the supervisor assumes responsibility for the conflict. However, members are explicitly prohibited from obeying any order they know or should reasonably believe would require them to commit an illegal act. In cases of doubt about an order's legality, they should seek clarification or request the supervisor to confer with higher authority.
Members are prohibited from using their official position, identification, or badge for personal or financial gain (except for authorized part-time employment), obtaining privileges not otherwise available, or avoiding consequences for illegal acts. They cannot lend their identification or badge to others or allow them to be photographed without the Police Chief's approval. Additionally, members cannot represent themselves as part of the department in commercial endorsements without the Chief's permission and are forbidden from using their authority to influence others into unethical or unlawful actions. Neglecting duties, sleeping on duty, and failing to adequately secure departmental property are also prohibited.
Every member of the department has a responsibility to report any information that leads to a reasonable suspicion that another member, whether on or off duty, has violated any local, state, or federal criminal statute, law, or ordinance. This notification must be made immediately to an investigator assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau. Depending on the circumstances, the Internal Affairs investigator will then notify the appropriate criminal investigation supervisory personnel.
Members are required to submit all necessary reports truthfully and completely, and they are prohibited from knowingly entering or causing inaccurate information to be recorded. They must truthfully answer all questions specifically related to their employment and departmental operations when directed by the Chief, their designee, or a supervisor. Knowingly making a false statement can result in termination. Furthermore, members are obligated to cooperate with administrative investigations and are prohibited from attempting to interfere with or discourage the filing or continuation of complaints or investigations. Information related to active administrative investigations is considered confidential and should only be shared with authorized individuals.
The use of physical force is only permitted to the extent reasonably necessary to achieve a valid police objective. Unnecessary or excessive force is strictly prohibited. Officers who observe the use of excessive force by another officer have an affirmative duty to intervene and report the incident. The department also explicitly prohibits biased policing, defined as interdiction, detention, arrest, or other treatment of an individual based inappropriately on characteristics such as race, national origin, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, economic status, or sexual orientation. These characteristics shall not be the primary reason for stops, searches, or property seizures.
Violations of these rules and regulations can subject a member to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The specific disciplinary measures will be determined in accordance with the City of Virginia Beach Human Resources Policy No. 4.02, Discipline Policy and Procedure, the guidelines outlined in General Order 2.07 Discipline, and the Administrative Investigations Field Guide.

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