{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-836.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-836.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-836.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-836.html"}],"law_id":61030,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61030,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-836","catch_line":"Department of law enforcement","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-384.56; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-769; 1966, c. 464; 1968, c. 797; 1978, c. 558; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"The department of law enforcement shall consist of the attorney for the Commonwealth, chief of police, and sheriff, together with their assistants, police officers, deputies and employees. If a department of public safety is created, the chief of police, his police officers and employees shall be a part of such department as hereinafter provided.\n\t\tThe attorney for the Commonwealth shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed upon such officer by general law and shall be accountable to the board in all matters affecting the county and shall perform such duties, consistent with his office, as the board directs. He shall be selected as provided by general law.\n\t\tThe department of law enforcement may also include a county attorney to be appointed by the board upon the recommendation of the county executive and who shall serve at an annual salary to be set by the board. If a county attorney is appointed, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be relieved of the duties of advising the board, of drafting or preparing county ordinances, and of defending or bringing civil actions in which the county or any of its officials is a party. All such duties shall be performed by the county attorney, who shall be accountable to the board in all such matters.\n\t\tThe sheriff shall exercise the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon sheriffs by general law except as herein provided. He shall have the custody, feeding and care of all prisoners confined in the county jail. He shall perform such other duties as the board may impose upon him. The sheriff shall be selected as provided by general law. The sheriff and such other deputies and assistants appointed hereunder shall receive such compensation as the board prescribes. Any police officer appointed by the urban county executive or the board shall be under the supervision and control of the board unless such supervision and control are conferred upon the urban county executive. Such police officer shall have such powers as may be provided by general law throughout the county, including all towns therein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":223147,"text":"The department of law enforcement shall consist of the attorney for the Commonwealth, chief of police, and sheriff, together with their assistants, police officers, deputies and employees. If a department of public safety is created, the chief of police, his police officers and employees shall be a part of such department as hereinafter provided.\n\t\tThe attorney for the Commonwealth shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed upon such officer by general law and shall be accountable to the board in all matters affecting the county and shall perform such duties, consistent with his office, as the board directs. He shall be selected as provided by general law.\n\t\tThe department of law enforcement may also include a county attorney to be appointed by the board upon the recommendation of the county executive and who shall serve at an annual salary to be set by the board. If a county attorney is appointed, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be relieved of the duties of advising the board, of drafting or preparing county ordinances, and of defending or bringing civil actions in which the county or any of its officials is a party. All such duties shall be performed by the county attorney, who shall be accountable to the board in all such matters.\n\t\tThe sheriff shall exercise the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon sheriffs by general law except as herein provided. He shall have the custody, feeding and care of all prisoners confined in the county jail. He shall perform such other duties as the board may impose upon him. The sheriff shall be selected as provided by general law. The sheriff and such other deputies and assistants appointed hereunder shall receive such compensation as the board prescribes. Any police officer appointed by the urban county executive or the board shall be under the supervision and control of the board unless such supervision and control are conferred upon the urban county executive. Such police officer shall have such powers as may be provided by general law throughout the county, including all towns therein.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14819,"edition_id":1,"name":"Departments and Commissions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14133,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:07","permalink":{"id":152201,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14819,"identifier":"2","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2","url":"\/15.2\/I\/8\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14133,"edition_id":1,"name":"Urban County Executive Form of Government","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13138,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","permalink":{"id":152109,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14133,"identifier":"8","token":"15.2\/I\/8","url":"\/15.2\/I\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13138,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions; Charters; Other Forms and Organization of Counties","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":151281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13138,"identifier":"I","token":"15.2\/I","url":"\/15.2\/I\/","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":70081,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-821","catch_line":"Board to provide for and set up departments; removal of department head or person assigned to county executive's office; powers of supervisors generally","url":"\/15.2-821\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-821","metadata":false},{"id":76022,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-822","catch_line":"Designation of officer or employee to exercise power or perform duty","url":"\/15.2-822\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-822","metadata":false},{"id":81909,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-823","catch_line":"Departments and commissions of county government","url":"\/15.2-823\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-823","metadata":false},{"id":77119,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-824","catch_line":"Appointment of members of certain boards, authorities and commissions","url":"\/15.2-824\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-824","metadata":false},{"id":81095,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-825","catch_line":"Committee for legislative audit and review","url":"\/15.2-825\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-825","metadata":false},{"id":69081,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-826","catch_line":"Department of finance; director; general duties","url":"\/15.2-826\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-826","metadata":false},{"id":77030,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-827","catch_line":"Same; expenditures and accounts","url":"\/15.2-827\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-827","metadata":false},{"id":80542,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-828","catch_line":"Same; powers of commissioners of revenue; real estate assessments","url":"\/15.2-828\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-828","metadata":false},{"id":71908,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-829","catch_line":"Same; powers of county treasurer; deposit of moneys","url":"\/15.2-829\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-829","metadata":false},{"id":85848,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-830","catch_line":"Same; claims against counties; accounts","url":"\/15.2-830\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-830","metadata":false},{"id":76908,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-831","catch_line":"Same; director as purchasing agent","url":"\/15.2-831\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-831","metadata":false},{"id":86556,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-832","catch_line":"Same; assistants","url":"\/15.2-832\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-832","metadata":false},{"id":62049,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-833","catch_line":"Same; obligations of chief assessing officer","url":"\/15.2-833\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-833","metadata":false},{"id":68700,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-834","catch_line":"Department of public works","url":"\/15.2-834\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-834","metadata":false},{"id":72653,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-835","catch_line":"Department and board of social services","url":"\/15.2-835\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-835","metadata":false},{"id":61030,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-836","catch_line":"Department of law enforcement","url":"\/15.2-836\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-836","metadata":false},{"id":74453,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-836.1","catch_line":"Animal protection police officer","url":"\/15.2-836.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-836.1","metadata":false},{"id":75384,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-837","catch_line":"Department of education","url":"\/15.2-837\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-837","metadata":false},{"id":84166,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-838","catch_line":"Department of records","url":"\/15.2-838\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-838","metadata":false},{"id":79787,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-839","catch_line":"Department and board of health","url":"\/15.2-839\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-839","metadata":false},{"id":72395,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-840","catch_line":"Department of assessments","url":"\/15.2-840\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-840","metadata":false},{"id":56675,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-841","catch_line":"Department of farm and home demonstration","url":"\/15.2-841\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-841","metadata":false},{"id":71113,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-842","catch_line":"Department of public safety","url":"\/15.2-842\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-842","metadata":false},{"id":77274,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-843","catch_line":"Department of public utilities","url":"\/15.2-843\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-843","metadata":false},{"id":57265,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-844","catch_line":"Examination and audit of books and accounts","url":"\/15.2-844\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-844","metadata":false},{"id":63066,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-845","catch_line":"Schedule of compensation","url":"\/15.2-845\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-845","metadata":false},{"id":83332,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-846","catch_line":"Salaries and expenses of board members; administrative staff","url":"\/15.2-846\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-846","metadata":false},{"id":87326,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-847","catch_line":"Budget; board to fix salaries and allowances","url":"\/15.2-847\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-847","metadata":false},{"id":80453,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-848","catch_line":"Compensation of officers and employees; fee system abolished","url":"\/15.2-848\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-848","metadata":false},{"id":66350,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-849","catch_line":"Establishing times and conditions of employment; personnel management, etc","url":"\/15.2-849\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-849","metadata":false},{"id":67260,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-850","catch_line":"Bonds of officers","url":"\/15.2-850\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-850","metadata":false},{"id":57662,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-851","catch_line":"Expedited land development review procedure","url":"\/15.2-851\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-851","metadata":false},{"id":56663,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-851.1","catch_line":"Optional provisions of a subdivision ordinance","url":"\/15.2-851.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-851.1","metadata":false},{"id":71120,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-852","catch_line":"Disclosures in land use proceedings","url":"\/15.2-852\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-852","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72653,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-835","catch_line":"Department and board of social services","url":"\/15.2-835\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-835","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74453,"structure_id":14819,"section_number":"15.2-836.1","catch_line":"Animal protection police officer","url":"\/15.2-836.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-836.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-836\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1960, chapter 382; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1966, chapter 464; in 1968, chapter 797; in 1978, chapter 558; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82227,"section_number":"19.2-60.1","catch_line":"Use of unmanned aircraft systems by public bodies; search warrant required","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-60.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":152263,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61030,"identifier":"15.2-836","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-836","url":"\/15.2-836\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-836\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/2\/15.2-836","dublin_core":{"Title":"Department of law enforcement","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-836","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The department of <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> enforcement shall consist of the attorney for the Commonwealth, chief of police, and sheriff, together with their assistants, police officers, deputies and employees. If a department of public safety is created, the chief of police, his police officers and employees shall be a part of such department as hereinafter provided.\n\t\tThe attorney for the Commonwealth shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed upon such officer by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> and shall be accountable to the board in all matters affecting the county and shall perform such duties, consistent with his office, as the board directs. He shall be selected as provided by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>.\n\t\tThe department of <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> enforcement may also include a county attorney to be appointed by the board upon the recommendation of the county executive and who shall serve at an annual salary to be set by the board. If a county attorney is appointed, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be relieved of the duties of advising the board, of drafting or preparing county <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span>, and of defending or bringing <span class=\"dictionary\">civil actions<\/span> in which the county or any of its officials is a <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span>. All such duties shall be performed by the county attorney, who shall be accountable to the board in all such matters.\n\t\tThe sheriff shall exercise the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon sheriffs by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> except as herein provided. He shall have the <span class=\"dictionary\">custody<\/span>, feeding and care of all prisoners confined in the <span class=\"dictionary\">county jail<\/span>. He shall perform such other duties as the board may impose upon him. The sheriff shall be selected as provided by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>. The sheriff and such other deputies and assistants appointed hereunder shall receive such compensation as the board prescribes. Any police officer appointed by the urban county executive or the board shall be under the supervision and control of the board unless such supervision and control are conferred upon the urban county executive. Such police officer shall have such powers as may be provided by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> throughout the county, including all <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span> therein.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (\u00a7 15.2-836)\n\nThe department of law enforcement shall consist of the attorney for the\nCommonwealth, chief of police, and sheriff, together with their assistants,\npolice officers, deputies and employees. If a department of public safety is\ncreated, the chief of police, his police officers and employees shall be a part\nof such department as hereinafter provided.\n\t\tThe attorney for the Commonwealth shall exercise the powers conferred and\nperform the duties imposed upon such officer by general law and shall be\naccountable to the board in all matters affecting the county and shall perform\nsuch duties, consistent with his office, as the board directs. He shall be\nselected as provided by general law.\n\t\tThe department of law enforcement may also include a county attorney to be\nappointed by the board upon the recommendation of the county executive and who\nshall serve at an annual salary to be set by the board. If a county attorney is\nappointed, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be relieved of the duties of\nadvising the board, of drafting or preparing county ordinances, and of defending\nor bringing civil actions in which the county or any of its officials is a\nparty. All such duties shall be performed by the county attorney, who shall be\naccountable to the board in all such matters.\n\t\tThe sheriff shall exercise the powers conferred and perform all the duties\nimposed upon sheriffs by general law except as herein provided. He shall have\nthe custody, feeding and care of all prisoners confined in the county jail. He\nshall perform such other duties as the board may impose upon him. The sheriff\nshall be selected as provided by general law. The sheriff and such other\ndeputies and assistants appointed hereunder shall receive such compensation as\nthe board prescribes. Any police officer appointed by the urban county executive\nor the board shall be under the supervision and control of the board unless such\nsupervision and control are conferred upon the urban county executive. Such\npolice officer shall have such powers as may be provided by general law\nthroughout the county, including all towns therein.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-384.56; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-769; 1966,\nc. 464; 1968, c. 797; 1978, c. 558; 1997, c. 587.","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}}