Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office

Chesterfield County, Virginia splits public safety in a way that surprises some newcomers: the county police department handles most criminal investigations, traffic enforcement and patrol, while the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office, whose deputies keep full arrest authority, focuses on safe courts, the county jail, service of legal documents and the care of people in custody. The office holds accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, and Chesterfield was the third Virginia jurisdiction where both the police department and the sheriff's office were accredited. Much of its public-facing work runs through a community outreach unit. Through the Juvenile Outreach Learning Tour, known as JOLT, parents can arrange for a young person to see inmate living conditions, visitation and daily life inside the jail, and at the request of schools a current inmate will share the choices and consequences that led there. Certified firearms instructors teach concealed carry and handgun safety classes six evenings a year, and a free two-night hunter safety course has been offered since 1992. Seniors can join the Chesterfield TRIAD or pick up File of Life and Yellow Dot cards, groups can book courthouse and jail tours, and an honor guard represents the office at ceremonies.