{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1703.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1703.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1703.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1703.html"}],"law_id":81008,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81008,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1703","catch_line":"Referendum to abolish county police force","history":"1988, c. 660, \u00a7 15.1-131.6:2; 1997, c. 587; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.","full_text":"The police force in any county which established the force subsequent to July 1, 1983, may be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the sheriff’s office after a referendum held pursuant to this section.\n\t\tEither (i) the voters of the county by petition signed by not less than ten percent of the registered voters therein on the January 1 preceding the filing of the petition or (ii) the governing body of the county, by resolution, may petition the circuit court for the county that a referendum be held on the question, “Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county sheriff’s office?” The court, by order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the county at the next general election held in the county to open the polls and take the sense of the voters on the question as herein provided. The clerk of the circuit court for the county shall publish notice of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the county three times, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the election.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be printed as follows:\n\t\t“Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county sheriff’s office?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe election shall be held and the results certified as provided in \u00a7 24.2-684. If a majority of the voters voting in the election vote in favor of the question, the court shall enter an order proclaiming the results of the election, and a duly certified copy of such order shall be transmitted to the governing body of the county. The governing body shall proceed with the necessary action to abolish the police force and transfer its responsibilities to the sheriff’s office, to become effective on July 1 following the referendum.\n\t\tOnce a referendum has been held pursuant to this section, no further referendum shall be held pursuant to this section within four years thereafter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":290380,"text":"The police force in any county which established the force subsequent to July 1, 1983, may be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the sheriff’s office after a referendum held pursuant to this section.\n\t\tEither (i) the voters of the county by petition signed by not less than ten percent of the registered voters therein on the January 1 preceding the filing of the petition or (ii) the governing body of the county, by resolution, may petition the circuit court for the county that a referendum be held on the question, “Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county sheriff’s office?” The court, by order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the county at the next general election held in the county to open the polls and take the sense of the voters on the question as herein provided. The clerk of the circuit court for the county shall publish notice of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the county three times, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the election.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be printed as follows:\n\t\t“Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county sheriff’s office?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe election shall be held and the results certified as provided in \u00a7 24.2-684. If a majority of the voters voting in the election vote in favor of the question, the court shall enter an order proclaiming the results of the election, and a duly certified copy of such order shall be transmitted to the governing body of the county. The governing body shall proceed with the necessary action to abolish the police force and transfer its responsibilities to the sheriff’s office, to become effective on July 1 following the referendum.\n\t\tOnce a referendum has been held pursuant to this section, no further referendum shall be held pursuant to this section within four years thereafter.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13483,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13482,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153749,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13483,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13482,"edition_id":1,"name":"Police and Public Order","identifier":"17","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:59","permalink":{"id":153747,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13482,"identifier":"17","token":"15.2\/II\/17","url":"\/15.2\/II\/17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59436,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1700","catch_line":"Preservation of peace and good order","url":"\/15.2-1700\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1700","metadata":false},{"id":82838,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1701","catch_line":"Organization of police forces","url":"\/15.2-1701\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1701","metadata":false},{"id":73443,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1702","catch_line":"Referendum required prior to establishment of county police force","url":"\/15.2-1702\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1702","metadata":false},{"id":81008,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1703","catch_line":"Referendum to abolish county police force","url":"\/15.2-1703\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1703","metadata":false},{"id":74490,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1704","catch_line":"Powers and duties of police force","url":"\/15.2-1704\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1704","metadata":false},{"id":78495,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1705","catch_line":"Minimum qualifications; waiver","url":"\/15.2-1705\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1705","metadata":false},{"id":85175,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1706","catch_line":"Certification through training required for all law-enforcement officers; waiver of requirements","url":"\/15.2-1706\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1706","metadata":false},{"id":65694,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1707","catch_line":"Decertification of law-enforcement officers and jail officers","url":"\/15.2-1707\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1707","metadata":false},{"id":69038,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1708","catch_line":"Notice of decertification; decertification review process","url":"\/15.2-1708\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1708","metadata":false},{"id":71374,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1709","catch_line":"Employer immunity from liability; disclosure of information regarding former deputy sheriffs and law-enforcement officers","url":"\/15.2-1709\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1709","metadata":false},{"id":59628,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710","catch_line":"Fees and other compensation","url":"\/15.2-1710\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710","metadata":false},{"id":86731,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1710.1","catch_line":"Arrest or summons quota prohibited","url":"\/15.2-1710.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1710.1","metadata":false},{"id":63376,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1711","catch_line":"Providing legal fees and expenses for law-enforcement officers; repayment to locality of two-thirds of amount by Compensation Board","url":"\/15.2-1711\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1711","metadata":false},{"id":63610,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1712","catch_line":"Employment of off-duty officers","url":"\/15.2-1712\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1712","metadata":false},{"id":77061,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713","catch_line":"Localities authorized to offer and pay rewards in felony and misdemeanor cases","url":"\/15.2-1713\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713","metadata":false},{"id":87347,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1713.1","catch_line":"Local \"Crime Stoppers\" programs; confidentiality","url":"\/15.2-1713.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1713.1","metadata":false},{"id":60435,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1714","catch_line":"Establishing police lines, perimeters, or barricades","url":"\/15.2-1714\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1714","metadata":false},{"id":81983,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1715","catch_line":"Authority to declare Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions; expenditure of funds","url":"\/15.2-1715\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1715","metadata":false},{"id":73688,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to DUI and related incidents","url":"\/15.2-1716\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716","metadata":false},{"id":54447,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.1","catch_line":"Reimbursement of expenses incurred in responding to terrorism hoax incident, bomb threat, or malicious activation of fire alarm","url":"\/15.2-1716.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.1","metadata":false},{"id":61242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1716.2","catch_line":"Methamphetamine lab cleanup costs; localities may charge for reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-1716.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1716.2","metadata":false},{"id":63062,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717","catch_line":"Preventing interference with pupils at schools","url":"\/15.2-1717\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717","metadata":false},{"id":75499,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1717.1","catch_line":"Designation of police to enforce trespass violations","url":"\/15.2-1717.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1717.1","metadata":false},{"id":86283,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718","catch_line":"Receipt of missing child reports","url":"\/15.2-1718\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718","metadata":false},{"id":82937,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.1","catch_line":"Receipt of missing senior adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.1","metadata":false},{"id":68631,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1718.2","catch_line":"Receipt of critically missing adult reports","url":"\/15.2-1718.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1718.2","metadata":false},{"id":85242,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1719","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed property in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1719\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1719","metadata":false},{"id":81997,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1720","catch_line":"Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices; disposition of unclaimed bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices","url":"\/15.2-1720\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1720","metadata":false},{"id":77275,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721","catch_line":"Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police","url":"\/15.2-1721\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721","metadata":false},{"id":61487,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1721.1","catch_line":"Acquisition of military property by localities","url":"\/15.2-1721.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1721.1","metadata":false},{"id":59331,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722","catch_line":"Certain records to be kept by sheriffs and chiefs of police","url":"\/15.2-1722\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722","metadata":false},{"id":67755,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1722.1","catch_line":"Prohibited practices; collection of data","url":"\/15.2-1722.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1722.1","metadata":false},{"id":70576,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723","catch_line":"Validation of certain police forces","url":"\/15.2-1723\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723","metadata":false},{"id":60551,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.1","catch_line":"Body-worn camera system","url":"\/15.2-1723.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.1","metadata":false},{"id":78195,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1723.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval","url":"\/15.2-1723.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1723.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73443,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1702","catch_line":"Referendum required prior to establishment of county police force","url":"\/15.2-1702\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1702","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74490,"structure_id":13483,"section_number":"15.2-1704","catch_line":"Powers and duties of police force","url":"\/15.2-1704\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1704","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1703\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 660 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 506<\/a> and 507<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 225<\/a> and 242<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":58078,"section_number":"24.2-681","catch_line":"How special elections superintended and determined","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-681\/"},{"id":82479,"section_number":"24.2-684","catch_line":"How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-684\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153763,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81008,"identifier":"15.2-1703","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1703","url":"\/15.2-1703\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1703\/","token":"15.2\/II\/17\/1\/15.2-1703","dublin_core":{"Title":"Referendum to abolish county police force","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1703","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The police force in any county<\/span> which established the force subsequent to July 1, 1983, may be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the sheriff’s office after a referendum<\/span> held pursuant to this section.\n\t\tEither (i) the voters<\/span> of the county<\/span> by petition<\/span> signed by not less than ten percent of the registered voters<\/span> therein on the January 1 preceding the filing of the petition<\/span> or (ii) the governing body<\/span> of the county<\/span>, by resolution, may petition<\/span> the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the county<\/span> that a referendum<\/span> be held on the question, “Shall the county<\/span> police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county<\/span> sheriff’s office?” The court<\/span>, by order<\/span> entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the county<\/span> at the next general election held in the county<\/span> to open the polls and take the sense of the voters<\/span> on the question as herein provided. The clerk of the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the county<\/span> shall publish notice of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the county<\/span> three times, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the election.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be printed as follows:\n\t\t“Shall the county<\/span> police force be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the county<\/span> sheriff’s office?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe election shall be held and the results certified as provided in \u00a7 24.2-684<\/a>. If a majority of the voters<\/span> voting in the election vote in favor of the question, the court<\/span> shall enter an order<\/span> proclaiming the results of the election, and a duly certified copy of such order<\/span> shall be transmitted to the governing body<\/span> of the county<\/span>. The governing body<\/span> shall proceed with the necessary action to abolish the police force and transfer its responsibilities to the sheriff’s office, to become effective on July 1 following the referendum<\/span>.\n\t\tOnce a referendum<\/span> has been held pursuant to this section, no further referendum<\/span> shall be held pursuant to this section within four years thereafter.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREFERENDUM TO ABOLISH COUNTY POLICE FORCE (\u00a7 15.2-1703)\n\nThe police force in any county which established the force subsequent to July 1,\n1983, may be abolished and its responsibilities assumed by the sheriff’s\noffice after a referendum held pursuant to this section.\n\t\tEither (i) the voters of the county by petition signed by not less than ten\npercent of the registered voters therein on the January 1 preceding the filing\nof the petition or (ii) the governing body of the county, by resolution, may\npetition the circuit court for the county that a referendum be held on the\nquestion, “Shall the county police force be abolished and its\nresponsibilities assumed by the county sheriff’s office?” The court,\nby order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (\u00a7 24.2-681 et seq.) of\nChapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the\ncounty at the next general election held in the county to open the polls and\ntake the sense of the voters on the question as herein provided. The clerk of\nthe circuit court for the county shall publish notice of the election in a\nnewspaper of general circulation in the county three times, with the first\nnotice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no\nless than seven days before the election.\n\t\tThe ballot shall be printed as follows:\n\t\t“Shall the county police force be abolished and its responsibilities\nassumed by the county sheriff’s office?\n\t\t[ ] Yes\n\t\t[ ] No”\n\t\tThe election shall be held and the results certified as provided in \u00a7\n24.2-684. If a majority of the voters voting in the election vote in favor of\nthe question, the court shall enter an order proclaiming the results of the\nelection, and a duly certified copy of such order shall be transmitted to the\ngoverning body of the county. The governing body shall proceed with the\nnecessary action to abolish the police force and transfer its responsibilities\nto the sheriff’s office, to become effective on July 1 following the\nreferendum.\n\t\tOnce a referendum has been held pursuant to this section, no further\nreferendum shall be held pursuant to this section within four years thereafter.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 660, \u00a7 15.1-131.6:2; 1997, c. 587; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024,\ncc. 225, 242.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}