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Department Information 

Law Enforcement Authority and Interagency Cooperation 

Norfolk State University police officers derive law enforcement authority from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s training requirements for law enforcement officers as established by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. University police officers are sworn officers with full powers of arrest; empowered and mandated to enforce all federal, state and local laws. Officers and supervisors are armed, and must undergo annual firearms qualifications. In addition to firearms, they carry oleoresin capsicum spray. In all cases, each officer of the department should use the minimum amount of force that is consistent with the accomplishment of his/her mission and should exhaust reasonable means of apprehension or defense before considering the use of a firearm.

After an incident is reported, a police officer is dispatched to the site of the complainant/victim and has the authority to make an arrest if necessary. Police officers prepare and submit incident/offense reports when warranted and the investigator will complete all necessary follow-up investigations.

In 1993, an agreement between the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk State University Police Department established an “Area of Concurrent Jurisdiction.” The purpose was to enable Norfolk State University Police Department and the Norfolk Police Department to deal with public safety and the maintenance of order in the areas surrounding the University that have the largest concentration of students who live and socialize “off campus.” Therefore, the Norfolk State University Police Department is authorized to exercise broader police authority on any property contiguous to the property of Norfolk State University. This ultimately creates a safer environment.

The Norfolk State University Police Department maintains a joint partnership with the following agencies: Norfolk Police Department, Virginia State Police Department, Virginia Beach Police Department, Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Old Dominion University Police Department, etc. This cooperation includes the reporting of crimes to the appropriate agencies, participation in police radio communications and computer network training programs, special events coordination, and investigation of serious crimes. Information on crimes that may impact or relate to the surrounding community and state is shared directly with appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, Norfolk State University Police Department investigators meet regularly with Norfolk Police Department detectives and intelligence units to discuss campus crime trends and police intelligence matters. Police officers from local agencies also cooperate with us by working special events that are hosted by the University.

The Police Department is a part of Norfolk State University’s Department of Finance and Business. The Department performs a variety of law enforcement tasks, including investigation of criminal activity, apprehension of criminals, traffic enforcement, emergency response, and special security assignments. As needed, the Department coordinates criminal investigations with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of State Police. As part of the community policing/crime prevention efforts, Norfolk State University Police Department provides seminars on a variety of topics, as well as promote safety measures, which include: Operation Identification, survey and statistical information on critical safety and security measures, poster campaigns, and the distribution of brochures and safety fliers.

Norfolk State University Police Department The Norfolk State University Police Department employs 36 sworn police officers. This number includes the chief of police, assistant chief of police, captain, an investigator, lieutenants, and sergeants. The number of officers in each category is as follows:

In addition to the thirty-six sworn police officers, the Department employs fourteen Security Officers, and one Supervisor/Security Officer. These officers handle vehicle access to the campus, special assignments and routine foot patrol of the campus buildings and grounds.

The police department employs:

•  four state certified VCIN/NCIC Emergency Coordinator I
• one certified VCIN/NCIC Emergency Coordinator Supervisor/Administrative Specialist III
• one Grants/Accreditation Manager
• three Administrative Program Specialists III
• fifteen Student Spartan Patrol/Escorts who are also assigned to monitor vehicle access to the campus and serve as campus escorts Monday through Thursday from 5:30pm-10:00p.m.

TRAINING

Police recruits must successfully complete 600 hours of standard police training at the Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy located in Newport News, Virginia. Upon completion of the basic academy, recruits are assigned to field training officers and must complete 240 hours of additional field training. Police officers must also complete a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training every two years to maintain state certification.