VBPD Complaint
The City of Virginia Beach and its Police Department are committed to providing the best possible service to our residents and visitors. The City sets a high standard for professional conduct, fairness and courtesy.
Since November 1987, the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) has complied with the national policing standards established by the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The VBPD was presented with the "CALEA Gold Standard Advanced Accreditation with Excellence Award" for meeting the highest professional standards (almost 500 individual measures) following each of its previous five on-site inspections.
If you believe one or more of our employees has acted in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner, or you are dissatisfied with the service you have received, you may file a complaint either directly with the VBPD or with the City Manager's Office. All complaints will receive a fair and thorough investigation to ensure our members are meeting the standards set and are in full compliance with the laws of our city, state and country.
Complaints regarding courtesy or unsatisfactory performance can qualify for mediation. With the full agreement of the involved parties, this process is an alternative to filing a formal complaint. The Mediation Program provides an opportunity for the concerned individual and the Police Department member to openly discuss the circumstances of the police encounter with the benefit of a trained, neutral mediator helping to manage the dialogue.
The intent of the Mediation Program is to engage in good-faith discussions with the goal of reaching a shared understanding. Additional information regarding the Mediation Program (from the VBPD Administrative Investigation Field Guide) can be found under "mediation of select external complaints."
Prior to submitting your complaint, please review the FAQs below to familiarize yourself with the process and to learn what information you will need to submit.