{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-13.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-13.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-13.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-13.html"}],"law_id":72961,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72961,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-13","catch_line":"Special conservators of the peace; authority; jurisdiction; registration; liability of employers; penalty; report","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-28; 1960, c. 366; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1975, c. 495; 1976, c. 220; 1982, c. 523; 1989, c. 455; 1996, cc. 850, 956; 2001, c. 249; 2002, cc. 605, 836, 868; 2003, c. 922; 2004, c. 401; 2005, c. 498; 2006, c. 290; 2007, cc. 380, 481; 2008, c. 795; 2010, cc. 530, 778, 825; 2013, cc. 105, 122; 2015, cc. 602, 766, 772; 2016, c. 551; 2017, c. 494; 2018, c. 792; 2024, c. 577.","full_text":"A\n\nUpon the submission of an application, which shall include the results of the background investigation conducted pursuant to subsection C, from (i) any sheriff or chief of police of any county, city, or town; (ii) any corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth; (iii) the owner, proprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth; or (iv) any museum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, a circuit court judge of any county or city shall appoint special conservators of the peace who shall serve as such for such length of time as the court may designate, but not exceeding four years under any one appointment, during which time the court shall retain jurisdiction over the appointment order, upon a showing by the applicant of a necessity for the security of property or the peace and presentation of evidence that the person or persons to be appointed as a special conservator of the peace possess a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services in accordance with the provisions of subsection C. Upon an application made pursuant to clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), the court shall, prior to entering the order of appointment, transmit a copy of the application to the local attorney for the Commonwealth and the local sheriff or chief of police who may submit to the court a sworn, written statement indicating whether the order of appointment should be granted. However, a judge may deny the appointment for good cause, and shall state the specific reasons for the denial in writing in the order denying the appointment. A judge also may revoke the appointment order for good cause shown, upon the filing of a sworn petition by the attorney for the Commonwealth, sheriff, or chief of police for any locality in which the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve or by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Prior to revocation, a hearing shall be set and the special conservator of the peace shall be given notice and the opportunity to be heard. The judge may temporarily suspend the appointment pending the hearing for good cause shown. A hearing on the petition shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If the appointment order is suspended or revoked, the clerk of court shall notify the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, the applicable local law-enforcement agencies in all cities and counties where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the employer of the special conservator of the peace.\n\t\t\tThe order of appointment shall provide that a special conservator of the peace may perform only the duties for which he is qualified by training as established by the Criminal Justice Services Board. The order of appointment shall provide that such duties shall be exercised only within geographical limitations specified by the court, which shall be within the confines of the county, city or town that makes application or on the real property where the corporate applicant is located, or any real property contiguous to such real property, limited, except as provided in subsection F, to the city or county wherein application has been made, and only when such special conservator of the peace is engaged in the performance of his duties as such; however, a court may, in its discretion, specify in the order of appointment additional jurisdictions in which a special conservator of the peace employed by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority may exercise his duties. The order may provide that the special conservator of the peace shall have the authority to make an arrest outside of such geographical limitations if the arrest results from a close pursuit that was initiated when the special conservator of the peace was within the confines of the area wherein he has been authorized to have the powers and authority of a special conservator of the peace; the order shall further delineate a geographical limitation or distance beyond which the special conservator of the peace may not effectuate such an arrest that follows from a close pursuit. The order shall require the special conservator of the peace to comply with the provisions of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia. The order shall not identify the special conservator of the peace as a law-enforcement officer pursuant to § 9.1-101. The order may provide, however, that the special conservator of the peace is a “law-enforcement officer” for the purposes of Article 4 (§ 37.2-808 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 37.2 or Article 16 (§ 16.1-335 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, but such designation shall not qualify the special conservator of the peace as a “qualified law-enforcement officer” or “qualified retired law-enforcement officer” within the meaning of the federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. § 926(B) et seq., and the order of appointment shall specifically state this. The order may also provide that a special conservator of the peace who has completed the minimum training standards established by the Criminal Justice Services Board, has the authority to affect arrests, using up to the same amount of force as would be allowed to a law-enforcement officer employed by the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions when making a lawful arrest. The order shall prohibit blue flashing lights, but upon request and for good cause shown may provide that the special conservator of the peace may use flashing lights and sirens on any vehicle used by the special conservator of the peace when he is in the performance of his duties. Prior to granting an application for appointment, the circuit court shall ensure that the applicant has met the registration requirements established by the Criminal Justice Services Board.B\n\nAll applications and orders for appointments of special conservators of the peace shall be submitted on forms developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia in consultation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services and shall specify the duties for which the applicant is qualified. The applications and orders shall specify the geographic limitations consistent with subsection A.C\n\nNo person shall seek appointment as a special conservator of the peace from a circuit court judge without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, except as provided in this section. Applicants for registration may submit an application on or after January 1, 2004. A temporary registration may be issued in accordance with regulations established by the Criminal Justice Services Board while awaiting the results of a state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a valid registration or temporary registration until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards as set forth in this section; (ii) submitted his fingerprints on a form provided by the Department to be used for the conduct of a national criminal records search and a Virginia criminal history records search; (iii) submitted the results of a background investigation, performed by any state or local law-enforcement agency, which may, at its discretion, charge a reasonable fee to the applicant and which shall include a review of the applicant’s criminal history records and may include a review of the applicant’s school records, employment records, or interviews with persons possessing general knowledge of the applicant’s character and fitness for such appointment; and (iv) met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations. No person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (a) moral turpitude, (b) assault and battery, (c) damage to real or personal property, (d) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (e) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (f) firearms, or any felony, or who is required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1, or who is prohibited from possessing, transporting, or purchasing a firearm shall be eligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. A special conservator of the peace shall report if he is arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony offense or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection to the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the chief law-enforcement officer of all localities in which he is authorized to serve within three days of such arrest or of becoming ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. Any appointment for a special conservator of the peace shall be eligible for suspension and revocation after a hearing pursuant to subsection A if the special conservator of the peace is convicted of any offense listed in this subsection or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection. All appointments for special conservators of the peace shall become void on September 15, 2004, unless they have obtained a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.D\n\nEach person registered as or seeking registration as a special conservator of the peace shall be covered by evidence of a policy of (i) personal injury liability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-117; (ii) property damage liability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-118; and (iii) miscellaneous casualty insurance, as defined in subsection B of § 38.2-111, which includes professional liability insurance that provides coverage for any activity within the scope of the duties of a special conservator of the peace as set forth in this section, in an amount and with coverage for each as fixed by the Board, or self-insurance in an amount and with coverage as fixed by the Board. Any person who is aggrieved by the misconduct of any person registered as a special conservator of the peace and recovers a judgment against the registrant, which is unsatisfied in whole or in part, may bring an action in his own name against the insurance policy of the registrant.E\n\nEffective July 1, 2015, all persons currently appointed or seeking appointment or reappointment as a special conservator of the peace are required to register with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, regardless of any other standing the person may have as a law-enforcement officer or other position requiring registration or licensure by the Department. The employer of any special conservator of the peace shall notify the circuit court, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, and the chief law-enforcement officer of all localities in which the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve within 30 days after the date such individual has left employment and all powers of the special conservator of the peace shall be void. Failure to provide such notification shall be punishable by a fine of $250 plus an additional $50 per day for each day such notice is not provided.F\n\nWhen the application is made by any sheriff or chief of police, the circuit court shall specify in the order of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A and the geographic jurisdiction of the special conservator of the peace. Such appointments shall be limited to the city or county wherein application has been made. When the application is made by any corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, any owner, proprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth, or any museum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, the circuit court shall specify in the order of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A and the specific real property where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve. Such appointments shall be limited to the specific real property within the county, city, or town wherein application has been made. In the case of a corporation or other business, the court appointment may also include, for good cause shown, any real property owned or leased by the corporation or business, including any subsidiaries, in other specifically named cities and counties, but shall provide that the powers of the special conservator of the peace do not extend beyond the boundaries of such real property. The clerk of the appointing circuit court shall transmit to the Department of State Police, the clerk of the circuit court of each locality where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the sheriff or chief of police of each such locality a copy of the order of appointment that shall specify the following information: the person’s complete name, address, date of birth, social security number, gender, race, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, firearm authority or limitation as set forth in subsection G, date of the order, and other information as may be required by the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police shall enter the person’s name and other information into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. The Department of State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $10 to cover its costs associated with processing these orders. Each special conservator of the peace so appointed on application shall present his credentials to the chief of police or sheriff or his designee of all jurisdictions where he has conservator powers. If his powers are limited to certain areas of real property owned or leased by a corporation or business, he shall also provide notice of the exact physical addresses of those areas. Each special conservator shall provide to the circuit court a temporary registration letter issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to include the results of the background check prior to seeking an appointment by the circuit court. Once the applicant receives the appointment from the circuit court the applicant shall file the appointment order and a copy of the application with the Department of Criminal Justice Services in order to receive his special conservator of the peace registration document. If the court appointment includes any real property owned or leased by the corporation or business in other specifically named cities and counties not within the city or county wherein application has been made, the clerk of the appointing court shall transmit a copy of the order of appointment to (i) the clerk of the circuit court for each jurisdiction where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve and (ii) the sheriff or chief of police of each jurisdiction where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve.\n\t\t\tIf any such special conservator of the peace is the employee, agent or servant of another, his appointment as special conservator of the peace shall not relieve his employer, principal or master from civil liability to another arising out of any wrongful action or conduct committed by such special conservator of the peace while within the scope of his employment.\n\t\t\tEffective July 1, 2002, no person employed by a local school board as a school security officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, shall be eligible for appointment as a conservator for purposes of maintaining safety in a public school in the Commonwealth. All appointments of special conservators of the peace granted to school security officers as defined in § 9.1-101 prior to July 1, 2002 are void.G\n\nThe court may limit or prohibit the carrying of weapons by any special conservator of the peace initially appointed on or after July 1, 1996, while the appointee is within the scope of his employment as such.H\n\nThe governing body of any locality or the sheriff of a county where no police department has been established may enter into mutual aid agreements with any entity employing special conservators of the peace that is located in such locality for the use of their joint forces and their equipment and materials to maintain peace and good order. Any law-enforcement officer or special conservator of the peace, while performing his duty under any such agreement, shall have the same authority as lawfully conferred on him within his own jurisdiction.I\n\nNo special conservator of the peace shall display or use the word “police” on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties as a special conservator of the peace. Other than special conservators of the peace employed by a state agency, no special conservator of the peace shall use the seal of the Commonwealth on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties. However, upon request and for good cause shown, the order of appointment may provide that a special conservator of the peace who (i) meets all requirements, including the minimum compulsory training requirements, for law-enforcement officers set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 9.1-100 et seq.) of Title 9.1 and (ii) is employed by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority may use the word “police” on any badge, uniform, or vehicle in the performance of his duties or the seal of the Commonwealth on any badge or credential in the performance of his duties.J\n\nA special conservator of the peace may possess simultaneous registration with the Department of Criminal Justice Services as an armed security officer pursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 and shall maintain the rights, requirements, and restrictions contained therein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":262784,"text":"Upon the submission of an application, which shall include the results of the background investigation conducted pursuant to subsection C, from (i) any sheriff or chief of police of any county, city, or town; (ii) any corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth; (iii) the owner, proprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth; or (iv) any museum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, a circuit court judge of any county or city shall appoint special conservators of the peace who shall serve as such for such length of time as the court may designate, but not exceeding four years under any one appointment, during which time the court shall retain jurisdiction over the appointment order, upon a showing by the applicant of a necessity for the security of property or the peace and presentation of evidence that the person or persons to be appointed as a special conservator of the peace possess a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services in accordance with the provisions of subsection C. Upon an application made pursuant to clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), the court shall, prior to entering the order of appointment, transmit a copy of the application to the local attorney for the Commonwealth and the local sheriff or chief of police who may submit to the court a sworn, written statement indicating whether the order of appointment should be granted. However, a judge may deny the appointment for good cause, and shall state the specific reasons for the denial in writing in the order denying the appointment. A judge also may revoke the appointment order for good cause shown, upon the filing of a sworn petition by the attorney for the Commonwealth, sheriff, or chief of police for any locality in which the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve or by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Prior to revocation, a hearing shall be set and the special conservator of the peace shall be given notice and the opportunity to be heard. The judge may temporarily suspend the appointment pending the hearing for good cause shown. A hearing on the petition shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If the appointment order is suspended or revoked, the clerk of court shall notify the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, the applicable local law-enforcement agencies in all cities and counties where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the employer of the special conservator of the peace.\n\t\t\tThe order of appointment shall provide that a special conservator of the peace may perform only the duties for which he is qualified by training as established by the Criminal Justice Services Board. The order of appointment shall provide that such duties shall be exercised only within geographical limitations specified by the court, which shall be within the confines of the county, city or town that makes application or on the real property where the corporate applicant is located, or any real property contiguous to such real property, limited, except as provided in subsection F, to the city or county wherein application has been made, and only when such special conservator of the peace is engaged in the performance of his duties as such; however, a court may, in its discretion, specify in the order of appointment additional jurisdictions in which a special conservator of the peace employed by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority may exercise his duties. The order may provide that the special conservator of the peace shall have the authority to make an arrest outside of such geographical limitations if the arrest results from a close pursuit that was initiated when the special conservator of the peace was within the confines of the area wherein he has been authorized to have the powers and authority of a special conservator of the peace; the order shall further delineate a geographical limitation or distance beyond which the special conservator of the peace may not effectuate such an arrest that follows from a close pursuit. The order shall require the special conservator of the peace to comply with the provisions of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia. The order shall not identify the special conservator of the peace as a law-enforcement officer pursuant to § 9.1-101. The order may provide, however, that the special conservator of the peace is a “law-enforcement officer” for the purposes of Article 4 (§ 37.2-808 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 37.2 or Article 16 (§ 16.1-335 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, but such designation shall not qualify the special conservator of the peace as a “qualified law-enforcement officer” or “qualified retired law-enforcement officer” within the meaning of the federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. § 926(B) et seq., and the order of appointment shall specifically state this. The order may also provide that a special conservator of the peace who has completed the minimum training standards established by the Criminal Justice Services Board, has the authority to affect arrests, using up to the same amount of force as would be allowed to a law-enforcement officer employed by the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions when making a lawful arrest. The order shall prohibit blue flashing lights, but upon request and for good cause shown may provide that the special conservator of the peace may use flashing lights and sirens on any vehicle used by the special conservator of the peace when he is in the performance of his duties. Prior to granting an application for appointment, the circuit court shall ensure that the applicant has met the registration requirements established by the Criminal Justice Services Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":262785,"text":"All applications and orders for appointments of special conservators of the peace shall be submitted on forms developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia in consultation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services and shall specify the duties for which the applicant is qualified. The applications and orders shall specify the geographic limitations consistent with subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":262786,"text":"No person shall seek appointment as a special conservator of the peace from a circuit court judge without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, except as provided in this section. Applicants for registration may submit an application on or after January 1, 2004. A temporary registration may be issued in accordance with regulations established by the Criminal Justice Services Board while awaiting the results of a state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a valid registration or temporary registration until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards as set forth in this section; (ii) submitted his fingerprints on a form provided by the Department to be used for the conduct of a national criminal records search and a Virginia criminal history records search; (iii) submitted the results of a background investigation, performed by any state or local law-enforcement agency, which may, at its discretion, charge a reasonable fee to the applicant and which shall include a review of the applicant’s criminal history records and may include a review of the applicant’s school records, employment records, or interviews with persons possessing general knowledge of the applicant’s character and fitness for such appointment; and (iv) met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations. No person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (a) moral turpitude, (b) assault and battery, (c) damage to real or personal property, (d) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (e) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (f) firearms, or any felony, or who is required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1, or who is prohibited from possessing, transporting, or purchasing a firearm shall be eligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. A special conservator of the peace shall report if he is arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony offense or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection to the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the chief law-enforcement officer of all localities in which he is authorized to serve within three days of such arrest or of becoming ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. Any appointment for a special conservator of the peace shall be eligible for suspension and revocation after a hearing pursuant to subsection A if the special conservator of the peace is convicted of any offense listed in this subsection or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection. All appointments for special conservators of the peace shall become void on September 15, 2004, unless they have obtained a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":262787,"text":"Each person registered as or seeking registration as a special conservator of the peace shall be covered by evidence of a policy of (i) personal injury liability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-117; (ii) property damage liability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-118; and (iii) miscellaneous casualty insurance, as defined in subsection B of § 38.2-111, which includes professional liability insurance that provides coverage for any activity within the scope of the duties of a special conservator of the peace as set forth in this section, in an amount and with coverage for each as fixed by the Board, or self-insurance in an amount and with coverage as fixed by the Board. Any person who is aggrieved by the misconduct of any person registered as a special conservator of the peace and recovers a judgment against the registrant, which is unsatisfied in whole or in part, may bring an action in his own name against the insurance policy of the registrant.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":262788,"text":"Effective July 1, 2015, all persons currently appointed or seeking appointment or reappointment as a special conservator of the peace are required to register with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, regardless of any other standing the person may have as a law-enforcement officer or other position requiring registration or licensure by the Department. The employer of any special conservator of the peace shall notify the circuit court, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, and the chief law-enforcement officer of all localities in which the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve within 30 days after the date such individual has left employment and all powers of the special conservator of the peace shall be void. Failure to provide such notification shall be punishable by a fine of $250 plus an additional $50 per day for each day such notice is not provided.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":262789,"text":"When the application is made by any sheriff or chief of police, the circuit court shall specify in the order of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A and the geographic jurisdiction of the special conservator of the peace. Such appointments shall be limited to the city or county wherein application has been made. When the application is made by any corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, any owner, proprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth, or any museum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, the circuit court shall specify in the order of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A and the specific real property where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve. Such appointments shall be limited to the specific real property within the county, city, or town wherein application has been made. In the case of a corporation or other business, the court appointment may also include, for good cause shown, any real property owned or leased by the corporation or business, including any subsidiaries, in other specifically named cities and counties, but shall provide that the powers of the special conservator of the peace do not extend beyond the boundaries of such real property. The clerk of the appointing circuit court shall transmit to the Department of State Police, the clerk of the circuit court of each locality where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the sheriff or chief of police of each such locality a copy of the order of appointment that shall specify the following information: the person’s complete name, address, date of birth, social security number, gender, race, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, firearm authority or limitation as set forth in subsection G, date of the order, and other information as may be required by the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police shall enter the person’s name and other information into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. The Department of State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $10 to cover its costs associated with processing these orders. Each special conservator of the peace so appointed on application shall present his credentials to the chief of police or sheriff or his designee of all jurisdictions where he has conservator powers. If his powers are limited to certain areas of real property owned or leased by a corporation or business, he shall also provide notice of the exact physical addresses of those areas. Each special conservator shall provide to the circuit court a temporary registration letter issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to include the results of the background check prior to seeking an appointment by the circuit court. Once the applicant receives the appointment from the circuit court the applicant shall file the appointment order and a copy of the application with the Department of Criminal Justice Services in order to receive his special conservator of the peace registration document. If the court appointment includes any real property owned or leased by the corporation or business in other specifically named cities and counties not within the city or county wherein application has been made, the clerk of the appointing court shall transmit a copy of the order of appointment to (i) the clerk of the circuit court for each jurisdiction where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve and (ii) the sheriff or chief of police of each jurisdiction where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve.\n\t\t\tIf any such special conservator of the peace is the employee, agent or servant of another, his appointment as special conservator of the peace shall not relieve his employer, principal or master from civil liability to another arising out of any wrongful action or conduct committed by such special conservator of the peace while within the scope of his employment.\n\t\t\tEffective July 1, 2002, no person employed by a local school board as a school security officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, shall be eligible for appointment as a conservator for purposes of maintaining safety in a public school in the Commonwealth. All appointments of special conservators of the peace granted to school security officers as defined in § 9.1-101 prior to July 1, 2002 are void.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":262790,"text":"The court may limit or prohibit the carrying of weapons by any special conservator of the peace initially appointed on or after July 1, 1996, while the appointee is within the scope of his employment as such.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":262791,"text":"The governing body of any locality or the sheriff of a county where no police department has been established may enter into mutual aid agreements with any entity employing special conservators of the peace that is located in such locality for the use of their joint forces and their equipment and materials to maintain peace and good order. Any law-enforcement officer or special conservator of the peace, while performing his duty under any such agreement, shall have the same authority as lawfully conferred on him within his own jurisdiction.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"8":{"id":262792,"text":"No special conservator of the peace shall display or use the word “police” on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties as a special conservator of the peace. Other than special conservators of the peace employed by a state agency, no special conservator of the peace shall use the seal of the Commonwealth on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties. However, upon request and for good cause shown, the order of appointment may provide that a special conservator of the peace who (i) meets all requirements, including the minimum compulsory training requirements, for law-enforcement officers set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 9.1-100 et seq.) of Title 9.1 and (ii) is employed by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority may use the word “police” on any badge, uniform, or vehicle in the performance of his duties or the seal of the Commonwealth on any badge or credential in the performance of his duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"9":{"id":262793,"text":"A special conservator of the peace may possess simultaneous registration with the Department of Criminal Justice Services as an armed security officer pursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 and shall maintain the rights, requirements, and restrictions contained therein.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14411,"edition_id":1,"name":"Appointment","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14410,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:02","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:02","permalink":{"id":169865,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14411,"identifier":"1","token":"19.2\/2\/1","url":"\/19.2\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14410,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservators of the Peace and Special Policemen","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:02","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:02","permalink":{"id":169863,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14410,"identifier":"2","token":"19.2\/2","url":"\/19.2\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83596,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-12","catch_line":"Who are conservators of the peace","url":"\/19.2-12\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-12","metadata":false},{"id":72961,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-13","catch_line":"Special conservators of the peace; authority; jurisdiction; registration; liability of employers; penalty; report","url":"\/19.2-13\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-13","metadata":false},{"id":55754,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-13.1","catch_line":"Application for special conservator of the peace by locality","url":"\/19.2-13.1\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-13.1","metadata":false},{"id":63635,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-14","catch_line":"Conservators of the peace for fairgrounds and cemeteries; bond required","url":"\/19.2-14\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-14","metadata":false},{"id":73666,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-15","catch_line":"When conservator appointed under \u00a7 19.2-13 need not be a citizen","url":"\/19.2-15\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-15","metadata":false},{"id":80124,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-16","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-16\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-16","metadata":false},{"id":56994,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-17","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/19.2-17\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-17","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83596,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-12","catch_line":"Who are conservators of the peace","url":"\/19.2-12\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-12","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55754,"structure_id":14411,"section_number":"19.2-13.1","catch_line":"Application for special conservator of the peace by locality","url":"\/19.2-13.1\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-13.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-13\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 22 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 366; in 1974, chapters 44 and 45; in 1975, chapter 495; in 1976, chapter 220; in 1982, chapter 523; in 1989, chapter 455; in 1996, chapters 850<\/a> and 956<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 249<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 605<\/a>, 836<\/a>, and 868<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 922<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 401<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 498<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 290<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 380<\/a> and 481<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 795<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 530<\/a>, 778<\/a>, and 825<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 105<\/a> and 122<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 602<\/a>, 766<\/a>, and 772<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 551<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 494<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 792<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 577<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":67159,"section_number":"10.1-1620","catch_line":"Appointment of special conservators of the peace","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1620\/"},{"id":58071,"section_number":"15.2-1748","catch_line":"Powers of the academies","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1748\/"},{"id":69723,"section_number":"15.2-5706","catch_line":"Appointment of special conservators of the peace","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-5706\/"},{"id":61051,"section_number":"15.2-6021","catch_line":"Southwest Regional Recreation Area rangers","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-6021\/"},{"id":57039,"section_number":"15.2-968","catch_line":"Regulation of parking of vehicles within boundaries of state-supported institutions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-968\/"},{"id":58832,"section_number":"18.2-308.1","catch_line":"Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.1\/"},{"id":55754,"section_number":"19.2-13.1","catch_line":"Application for special conservator of the peace by locality","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-13.1\/"},{"id":63635,"section_number":"19.2-14","catch_line":"Conservators of the peace for fairgrounds and cemeteries; bond required","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-14\/"},{"id":73666,"section_number":"19.2-15","catch_line":"When conservator appointed under \u00a7 19.2-13 need not be a citizen","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-15\/"},{"id":66092,"section_number":"37.2-426","catch_line":"Officers may be appointed conservators of the peace; regulation of traffic","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-426\/"},{"id":78077,"section_number":"46.2-1023","catch_line":"Flashing red or red and white warning lights","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1023\/"},{"id":86130,"section_number":"59.1-136.3","catch_line":"Purchases of nonferrous scrap, metal articles, and proprietary articles","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-136.3\/"},{"id":68760,"section_number":"9.1-143","catch_line":"Private Security Services Advisory Board; membership","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-143\/"},{"id":74519,"section_number":"9.1-150.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-150.1\/"},{"id":86263,"section_number":"9.1-150.4","catch_line":"Unlawful conduct; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-150.4\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":74549,"section_number":"16.1-335","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-335\/"},{"id":84070,"section_number":"18.2-247","catch_line":"Use of terms \"controlled substances,\" \"marijuana,\" \"Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,\" \"imitation controlled substance,\" and \"counterfeit controlled substance\" in Title 18.2","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-247\/"},{"id":75662,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":61742,"section_number":"37.2-808","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Emergency custody; issuance and execution of order","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-808\/"},{"id":73309,"section_number":"38.2-111","catch_line":"Miscellaneous property and casualty","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-111\/"},{"id":83683,"section_number":"38.2-117","catch_line":"Personal injury liability","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-117\/"},{"id":58741,"section_number":"38.2-118","catch_line":"Property damage liability","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-118\/"},{"id":60818,"section_number":"52-12","catch_line":"Establishment of State Police communication system","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-12\/"},{"id":80750,"section_number":"9.1-100","catch_line":"Department of Criminal Justice Services","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-100\/"},{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"},{"id":69682,"section_number":"9.1-138","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-138\/"},{"id":69731,"section_number":"9.1-900","catch_line":"Purpose of the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-900\/"}],"permalink":{"id":169871,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72961,"identifier":"19.2-13","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-13","url":"\/19.2-13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-13\/","token":"19.2\/2\/1\/19.2-13","dublin_core":{"Title":"Special conservators of the peace; authority; jurisdiction; registration; liability of employers; penalty; report","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-13","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Upon the submission of an application, which shall include the results of the background investigation conducted pursuant to subsection C, from (i) any sheriff or chief of police of any county, city, or town; (ii) any corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth; (iii) the owner, proprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth; or (iv) any museum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, a circuit<\/span> court judge<\/span> of any county or city shall appoint special conservators of the peace who shall serve as such for such length of time as the court may designate, but not exceeding four years under any one appointment, during which time the court shall retain jurisdiction<\/span> over the appointment order<\/span>, upon a showing by the applicant of a necessity for the security of property or the peace and presentation of evidence<\/span> that the person or persons to be appointed as a special conservator of the peace possess a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services in accordance with the provisions of subsection C. Upon an application made pursuant to clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), the court shall, prior to entering the order<\/span> of appointment, transmit a copy of the application to the local attorney for the Commonwealth and the local sheriff or chief of police who may submit to the court a sworn, written statement indicating whether the order<\/span> of appointment should be granted. However, a judge<\/span> may deny the appointment for good cause, and shall state the specific reasons for the denial in writing in the order<\/span> denying the appointment. A judge<\/span> also may revoke the appointment order<\/span> for good cause shown, upon the filing of a sworn petition<\/span> by the attorney for the Commonwealth, sheriff, or chief of police for any locality in which the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve or by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Prior to revocation<\/span>, a hearing<\/span> shall be set and the special conservator of the peace shall be given notice and the opportunity to be heard. The judge<\/span> may temporarily suspend the appointment pending the hearing<\/span> for good cause shown. A hearing<\/span> on the petition<\/span> shall be heard by the court as soon as practicable. If the appointment order<\/span> is suspended or revoked, the clerk of court<\/span> shall notify the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, the applicable local law<\/span>-enforcement agencies in all cities and counties where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the employer of the special conservator of the peace.\n\t\t\tThe order<\/span> of appointment shall provide that a special conservator of the peace may perform only the duties for which he is qualified by training as established by the Criminal Justice Services Board. The order<\/span> of appointment shall provide that such duties shall be exercised only within geographical limitations specified by the court, which shall be within the confines of the county, city or town that makes application or on the real property where the corporate applicant is located, or any real property contiguous to such real property, limited, except as provided in subsection F, to the city or county wherein application has been made, and only when such special conservator of the peace is engaged in the performance of his duties as such; however, a court may, in its discretion, specify in the order<\/span> of appointment additional jurisdictions<\/span> in which a special conservator of the peace employed by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority may exercise his duties. The order<\/span> may provide that the special conservator of the peace shall have the authority to make an arrest<\/span> outside of such geographical limitations if the arrest<\/span> results from a close pursuit that was initiated when the special conservator of the peace was within the confines of the area wherein he has been authorized to have the powers and authority of a special conservator of the peace; the order<\/span> shall further delineate a geographical limitation or distance beyond which the special conservator of the peace may not effectuate such an arrest<\/span> that follows from a close pursuit. The order<\/span> shall require the special conservator of the peace to comply with the provisions of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia. The order<\/span> shall not identify the special conservator of the peace as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer pursuant to § 9.1-101<\/a>. The order<\/span> may provide, however, that the special conservator of the peace is a “law<\/span>-enforcement officer” for the purposes of Article 4 (§ 37.2-808<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 37.2 or Article 16 (§ 16.1-335<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, but such designation shall not qualify the special conservator of the peace as a “qualified law<\/span>-enforcement officer” or “qualified retired law<\/span>-enforcement officer” within the meaning of the federal Law<\/span> Enforcement Officer Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. § 926(B) et seq., and the order<\/span> of appointment shall specifically state this. The order<\/span> may also provide that a special conservator of the peace who has completed the minimum training standards established by the Criminal Justice Services Board, has the authority to affect arrests<\/span>, using up to the same amount of force as would be allowed to a law<\/span>-enforcement officer employed by the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions when making a lawful arrest<\/span>. The order<\/span> shall prohibit blue flashing lights, but upon request and for good cause shown may provide that the special conservator of the peace may use flashing lights and sirens on any vehicle used by the special conservator of the peace when he is in the performance of his duties. Prior to granting an application for appointment, the circuit<\/span> court shall ensure that the applicant has met the registration requirements established by the Criminal Justice Services Board. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> All applications and orders<\/span> for appointments of special conservators of the peace shall be submitted on forms developed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia in consultation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services and shall specify the duties for which the applicant is qualified. The applications and orders<\/span> shall specify the geographic limitations consistent with subsection A. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No person shall seek appointment as a special conservator of the peace from a circuit<\/span> court judge<\/span> without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, except as provided in this section. Applicants for registration may submit an application on or after January 1, 2004. A temporary registration may be issued in accordance with regulations established by the Criminal Justice Services Board while awaiting the results of a state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a valid registration or temporary registration until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards as set forth in this section; (ii) submitted his fingerprints on a form provided by the Department to be used for the conduct of a national criminal records search and a Virginia criminal history records search; (iii) submitted the results of a background investigation, performed by any state or local law<\/span>-enforcement agency, which may, at its discretion, charge a reasonable fee to the applicant and which shall include a review of the applicant’s criminal history records and may include a review of the applicant’s school records, employment records, or interviews with persons possessing general knowledge of the applicant’s character and fitness for such appointment; and (iv) met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations. No person with a criminal conviction<\/span> for a misdemeanor<\/span> involving (a) moral turpitude<\/span>, (b) assault<\/span> and battery<\/span>, (c) damage to real or personal property, (d) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (e) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (f) firearms, or any felony<\/span>, or who is required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes<\/span> Against Minors<\/span> Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900<\/a> et seq.) of Title 9.1, or who is prohibited from possessing, transporting, or purchasing a firearm shall be eligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. A special conservator of the peace shall report if he is arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any misdemeanor<\/span> or felony<\/span> offense<\/span> or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection to the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer of all localities in which he is authorized to serve within three days of such arrest<\/span> or of becoming ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. Any appointment for a special conservator of the peace shall be eligible for suspension and revocation<\/span> after a hearing<\/span> pursuant to subsection A if the special conservator of the peace is convicted of any offense<\/span> listed in this subsection or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection. All appointments for special conservators of the peace shall become void on September 15, 2004, unless they have obtained a valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Each person registered as or seeking registration as a special conservator of the peace shall be covered by evidence<\/span> of a policy of (i) personal injury liability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-117<\/a>; (ii) property damage liability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-118<\/a>; and (iii) miscellaneous casualty insurance, as defined in subsection B of § 38.2-111<\/a>, which includes professional liability insurance that provides coverage for any activity within the scope of the duties of a special conservator of the peace as set forth in this section, in an amount and with coverage for each as fixed by the Board, or self-insurance in an amount and with coverage as fixed by the Board. Any person who is aggrieved by the misconduct of any person registered as a special conservator of the peace and recovers a judgment<\/span> against the registrant, which is unsatisfied in whole or in part, may bring an action in his own name against the insurance policy of the registrant. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Effective July 1, 2015, all persons currently appointed or seeking appointment or reappointment as a special conservator of the peace are required to register with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, regardless of any other standing the person may have as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer or other position requiring registration or licensure by the Department. The employer of any special conservator of the peace shall notify the circuit<\/span> court, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, and the chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer of all localities in which the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve within 30 days after the date such individual has left employment and all powers of the special conservator of the peace shall be void. Failure to provide such notification shall be punishable by a fine of $250 plus an additional $50 per day for each day such notice is not provided. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> When the application is made by any sheriff or chief of police, the circuit<\/span> court shall specify in the order<\/span> of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A and the geographic jurisdiction<\/span> of the special conservator of the peace. Such appointments shall be limited to the city or county wherein application has been made. When the application is made by any corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, any owner, proprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth, or any museum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, the circuit<\/span> court shall specify in the order<\/span> of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A and the specific real property where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve. Such appointments shall be limited to the specific real property within the county, city, or town wherein application has been made. In the case of a corporation or other business, the court appointment may also include, for good cause shown, any real property owned or leased by the corporation or business, including any subsidiaries, in other specifically named cities and counties, but shall provide that the powers of the special conservator of the peace do not extend beyond the boundaries of such real property. The clerk of the appointing circuit<\/span> court shall transmit to the Department of State Police, the clerk of the circuit<\/span> court of each locality where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the sheriff or chief of police of each such locality a copy of the order<\/span> of appointment that shall specify the following information: the person’s complete name, address, date of birth, social security number, gender, race, height, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, firearm authority or limitation as set forth in subsection G, date of the order<\/span>, and other information as may be required by the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police shall enter the person’s name and other information into the Virginia Criminal Information Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12<\/a> et seq.) of Title 52. The Department of State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $10 to cover its costs associated with processing these orders<\/span>. Each special conservator of the peace so appointed on application shall present his credentials to the chief of police or sheriff or his designee of all jurisdictions<\/span> where he has conservator powers. If his powers are limited to certain areas of real property owned or leased by a corporation or business, he shall also provide notice of the exact physical addresses of those areas. Each special conservator shall provide to the circuit<\/span> court a temporary registration letter issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to include the results of the background check prior to seeking an appointment by the circuit<\/span> court. Once the applicant receives the appointment from the circuit<\/span> court the applicant shall file the appointment order<\/span> and a copy of the application with the Department of Criminal Justice Services in order<\/span> to receive his special conservator of the peace registration document. If the court appointment includes any real property owned or leased by the corporation or business in other specifically named cities and counties not within the city or county wherein application has been made, the clerk of the appointing court shall transmit a copy of the order<\/span> of appointment to (i) the clerk of the circuit<\/span> court for each jurisdiction<\/span> where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve and (ii) the sheriff or chief of police of each jurisdiction<\/span> where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve.\n\t\t\tIf any such special conservator of the peace is the employee, agent or servant of another, his appointment as special conservator of the peace shall not relieve his employer, principal or master from civil liability to another arising out of any wrongful action or conduct committed by such special conservator of the peace while within the scope of his employment.\n\t\t\tEffective July 1, 2002, no person employed by a local school board as a school security officer, as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a>, shall be eligible for appointment as a conservator for purposes of maintaining safety in a public school in the Commonwealth. All appointments of special conservators of the peace granted to school security officers as defined in § 9.1-101<\/a> prior to July 1, 2002 are void. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The court may limit or prohibit the carrying of weapons by any special conservator of the peace initially appointed on or after July 1, 1996, while the appointee is within the scope of his employment as such. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> The governing body of any locality or the sheriff of a county where no police department has been established may enter into mutual aid agreements with any entity employing special conservators of the peace that is located in such locality for the use of their joint forces and their equipment and materials<\/span> to maintain peace and good order<\/span>. Any law<\/span>-enforcement officer or special conservator of the peace, while performing his duty under any such agreement, shall have the same authority as lawfully conferred on him within his own jurisdiction<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> No special conservator of the peace shall display or use the word “police” on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties as a special conservator of the peace. Other than special conservators of the peace employed by a state agency, no special conservator of the peace shall use the seal of the Commonwealth on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties. However, upon request and for good cause shown, the order<\/span> of appointment may provide that a special conservator of the peace who (i) meets all requirements, including the minimum compulsory training requirements, for law<\/span>-enforcement officers set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 9.1-100<\/a> et seq.) of Title 9.1 and (ii) is employed by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority may use the word “police” on any badge, uniform, or vehicle in the performance of his duties or the seal of the Commonwealth on any badge or credential in the performance of his duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> A special conservator of the peace may possess simultaneous registration with the Department of Criminal Justice Services as an armed security officer pursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 and shall maintain the rights, requirements, and restrictions contained therein. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSPECIAL CONSERVATORS OF THE PEACE; AUTHORITY; JURISDICTION; REGISTRATION;\nLIABILITY OF EMPLOYERS; PENALTY; REPORT (\u00a7 19.2-13)\n\nA. Upon the submission of an application, which shall include the results of the\nbackground investigation conducted pursuant to subsection C, from (i) any\nsheriff or chief of police of any county, city, or town; (ii) any corporation\nauthorized to do business in the Commonwealth; (iii) the owner, proprietor, or\nauthorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth; or (iv) any museum\nowned and managed by the Commonwealth, a circuit court judge of any county or\ncity shall appoint special conservators of the peace who shall serve as such for\nsuch length of time as the court may designate, but not exceeding four years\nunder any one appointment, during which time the court shall retain jurisdiction\nover the appointment order, upon a showing by the applicant of a necessity for\nthe security of property or the peace and presentation of evidence that the\nperson or persons to be appointed as a special conservator of the peace possess\na valid registration issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services in\naccordance with the provisions of subsection C. Upon an application made\npursuant to clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), the court shall, prior to entering the\norder of appointment, transmit a copy of the application to the local attorney\nfor the Commonwealth and the local sheriff or chief of police who may submit to\nthe court a sworn, written statement indicating whether the order of appointment\nshould be granted. However, a judge may deny the appointment for good cause, and\nshall state the specific reasons for the denial in writing in the order denying\nthe appointment. A judge also may revoke the appointment order for good cause\nshown, upon the filing of a sworn petition by the attorney for the Commonwealth,\nsheriff, or chief of police for any locality in which the special conservator of\nthe peace is authorized to serve or by the Department of Criminal Justice\nServices. Prior to revocation, a hearing shall be set and the special\nconservator of the peace shall be given notice and the opportunity to be heard.\nThe judge may temporarily suspend the appointment pending the hearing for good\ncause shown. A hearing on the petition shall be heard by the court as soon as\npracticable. If the appointment order is suspended or revoked, the clerk of\ncourt shall notify the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Department\nof State Police, the applicable local law-enforcement agencies in all cities and\ncounties where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and\nthe employer of the special conservator of the peace.\n\t\t\tThe order of appointment shall provide that a special conservator of the\npeace may perform only the duties for which he is qualified by training as\nestablished by the Criminal Justice Services Board. The order of appointment\nshall provide that such duties shall be exercised only within geographical\nlimitations specified by the court, which shall be within the confines of the\ncounty, city or town that makes application or on the real property where the\ncorporate applicant is located, or any real property contiguous to such real\nproperty, limited, except as provided in subsection F, to the city or county\nwherein application has been made, and only when such special conservator of the\npeace is engaged in the performance of his duties as such; however, a court may,\nin its discretion, specify in the order of appointment additional jurisdictions\nin which a special conservator of the peace employed by the Shenandoah Valley\nRegional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation\nAuthority may exercise his duties. The order may provide that the special\nconservator of the peace shall have the authority to make an arrest outside of\nsuch geographical limitations if the arrest results from a close pursuit that\nwas initiated when the special conservator of the peace was within the confines\nof the area wherein he has been authorized to have the powers and authority of a\nspecial conservator of the peace; the order shall further delineate a\ngeographical limitation or distance beyond which the special conservator of the\npeace may not effectuate such an arrest that follows from a close pursuit. The\norder shall require the special conservator of the peace to comply with the\nprovisions of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia.\nThe order shall not identify the special conservator of the peace as a\nlaw-enforcement officer pursuant to § 9.1-101. The order may provide,\nhowever, that the special conservator of the peace is a “law-enforcement\nofficer” for the purposes of Article 4 (§ 37.2-808 et seq.) of\nChapter 8 of Title 37.2 or Article 16 (§ 16.1-335 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of\nTitle 16.1, but such designation shall not qualify the special conservator of\nthe peace as a “qualified law-enforcement officer” or\n“qualified retired law-enforcement officer” within the meaning of\nthe federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. § 926(B) et seq.,\nand the order of appointment shall specifically state this. The order may also\nprovide that a special conservator of the peace who has completed the minimum\ntraining standards established by the Criminal Justice Services Board, has the\nauthority to affect arrests, using up to the same amount of force as would be\nallowed to a law-enforcement officer employed by the Commonwealth or any of its\npolitical subdivisions when making a lawful arrest. The order shall prohibit\nblue flashing lights, but upon request and for good cause shown may provide that\nthe special conservator of the peace may use flashing lights and sirens on any\nvehicle used by the special conservator of the peace when he is in the\nperformance of his duties. Prior to granting an application for appointment, the\ncircuit court shall ensure that the applicant has met the registration\nrequirements established by the Criminal Justice Services Board.\n\nB. All applications and orders for appointments of special conservators of the\npeace shall be submitted on forms developed by the Office of the Executive\nSecretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia in consultation with the Department\nof Criminal Justice Services and shall specify the duties for which the\napplicant is qualified. The applications and orders shall specify the geographic\nlimitations consistent with subsection A.\n\nC. No person shall seek appointment as a special conservator of the peace from a\ncircuit court judge without possessing a valid registration issued by the\nDepartment of Criminal Justice Services, except as provided in this section.\nApplicants for registration may submit an application on or after January 1,\n2004. A temporary registration may be issued in accordance with regulations\nestablished by the Criminal Justice Services Board while awaiting the results of\na state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a\nvalid registration or temporary registration until he has (i) complied with, or\nbeen exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards as set forth in\nthis section; (ii) submitted his fingerprints on a form provided by the\nDepartment to be used for the conduct of a national criminal records search and\na Virginia criminal history records search; (iii) submitted the results of a\nbackground investigation, performed by any state or local law-enforcement\nagency, which may, at its discretion, charge a reasonable fee to the applicant\nand which shall include a review of the applicant’s criminal history\nrecords and may include a review of the applicant’s school records,\nemployment records, or interviews with persons possessing general knowledge of\nthe applicant’s character and fitness for such appointment; and (iv) met\nall other requirements of this article and Board regulations. No person with a\ncriminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (a) moral turpitude, (b) assault\nand battery, (c) damage to real or personal property, (d) controlled substances\nor imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et\nseq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (e) prohibited sexual behavior as described in\nArticle 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (f) firearms,\nor any felony, or who is required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes\nAgainst Minors Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title\n9.1, or who is prohibited from possessing, transporting, or purchasing a firearm\nshall be eligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of\nthe peace. A special conservator of the peace shall report if he is arrested\nfor, charged with, or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony offense or becomes\nineligible for registration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace\npursuant to this subsection to the Department of Criminal Justice Services and\nthe chief law-enforcement officer of all localities in which he is authorized to\nserve within three days of such arrest or of becoming ineligible for\nregistration or appointment as a special conservator of the peace. Any\nappointment for a special conservator of the peace shall be eligible for\nsuspension and revocation after a hearing pursuant to subsection A if the\nspecial conservator of the peace is convicted of any offense listed in this\nsubsection or becomes ineligible for registration or appointment as a special\nconservator of the peace pursuant to this subsection. All appointments for\nspecial conservators of the peace shall become void on September 15, 2004,\nunless they have obtained a valid registration issued by the Department of\nCriminal Justice Services.\n\nD. Each person registered as or seeking registration as a special conservator of\nthe peace shall be covered by evidence of a policy of (i) personal injury\nliability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-117; (ii) property damage\nliability insurance, as defined in § 38.2-118; and (iii) miscellaneous\ncasualty insurance, as defined in subsection B of § 38.2-111, which\nincludes professional liability insurance that provides coverage for any\nactivity within the scope of the duties of a special conservator of the peace as\nset forth in this section, in an amount and with coverage for each as fixed by\nthe Board, or self-insurance in an amount and with coverage as fixed by the\nBoard. Any person who is aggrieved by the misconduct of any person registered as\na special conservator of the peace and recovers a judgment against the\nregistrant, which is unsatisfied in whole or in part, may bring an action in his\nown name against the insurance policy of the registrant.\n\nE. Effective July 1, 2015, all persons currently appointed or seeking\nappointment or reappointment as a special conservator of the peace are required\nto register with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, regardless of any\nother standing the person may have as a law-enforcement officer or other\nposition requiring registration or licensure by the Department. The employer of\nany special conservator of the peace shall notify the circuit court, the\nDepartment of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of State Police, and the\nchief law-enforcement officer of all localities in which the special conservator\nof the peace is authorized to serve within 30 days after the date such\nindividual has left employment and all powers of the special conservator of the\npeace shall be void. Failure to provide such notification shall be punishable by\na fine of $250 plus an additional $50 per day for each day such notice is not\nprovided.\n\nF. When the application is made by any sheriff or chief of police, the circuit\ncourt shall specify in the order of appointment the name of the applicant\nauthorized under subsection A and the geographic jurisdiction of the special\nconservator of the peace. Such appointments shall be limited to the city or\ncounty wherein application has been made. When the application is made by any\ncorporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth, any owner,\nproprietor, or authorized custodian of any place within the Commonwealth, or any\nmuseum owned and managed by the Commonwealth, the circuit court shall specify in\nthe order of appointment the name of the applicant authorized under subsection A\nand the specific real property where the special conservator of the peace is\nauthorized to serve. Such appointments shall be limited to the specific real\nproperty within the county, city, or town wherein application has been made. In\nthe case of a corporation or other business, the court appointment may also\ninclude, for good cause shown, any real property owned or leased by the\ncorporation or business, including any subsidiaries, in other specifically named\ncities and counties, but shall provide that the powers of the special\nconservator of the peace do not extend beyond the boundaries of such real\nproperty. The clerk of the appointing circuit court shall transmit to the\nDepartment of State Police, the clerk of the circuit court of each locality\nwhere the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve, and the\nsheriff or chief of police of each such locality a copy of the order of\nappointment that shall specify the following information: the person’s\ncomplete name, address, date of birth, social security number, gender, race,\nheight, weight, color of hair, color of eyes, firearm authority or limitation as\nset forth in subsection G, date of the order, and other information as may be\nrequired by the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police shall\nenter the person’s name and other information into the Virginia Criminal\nInformation Network established and maintained by the Department pursuant to\nChapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. The Department of State Police may\ncharge a fee not to exceed $10 to cover its costs associated with processing\nthese orders. Each special conservator of the peace so appointed on application\nshall present his credentials to the chief of police or sheriff or his designee\nof all jurisdictions where he has conservator powers. If his powers are limited\nto certain areas of real property owned or leased by a corporation or business,\nhe shall also provide notice of the exact physical addresses of those areas.\nEach special conservator shall provide to the circuit court a temporary\nregistration letter issued by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to\ninclude the results of the background check prior to seeking an appointment by\nthe circuit court. Once the applicant receives the appointment from the circuit\ncourt the applicant shall file the appointment order and a copy of the\napplication with the Department of Criminal Justice Services in order to receive\nhis special conservator of the peace registration document. If the court\nappointment includes any real property owned or leased by the corporation or\nbusiness in other specifically named cities and counties not within the city or\ncounty wherein application has been made, the clerk of the appointing court\nshall transmit a copy of the order of appointment to (i) the clerk of the\ncircuit court for each jurisdiction where the special conservator of the peace\nis authorized to serve and (ii) the sheriff or chief of police of each\njurisdiction where the special conservator of the peace is authorized to serve.\n\t\t\tIf any such special conservator of the peace is the employee, agent or\nservant of another, his appointment as special conservator of the peace shall\nnot relieve his employer, principal or master from civil liability to another\narising out of any wrongful action or conduct committed by such special\nconservator of the peace while within the scope of his employment.\n\t\t\tEffective July 1, 2002, no person employed by a local school board as a\nschool security officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, shall be eligible for\nappointment as a conservator for purposes of maintaining safety in a public\nschool in the Commonwealth. All appointments of special conservators of the\npeace granted to school security officers as defined in § 9.1-101 prior to\nJuly 1, 2002 are void.\n\nG. The court may limit or prohibit the carrying of weapons by any special\nconservator of the peace initially appointed on or after July 1, 1996, while the\nappointee is within the scope of his employment as such.\n\nH. The governing body of any locality or the sheriff of a county where no police\ndepartment has been established may enter into mutual aid agreements with any\nentity employing special conservators of the peace that is located in such\nlocality for the use of their joint forces and their equipment and materials to\nmaintain peace and good order. Any law-enforcement officer or special\nconservator of the peace, while performing his duty under any such agreement,\nshall have the same authority as lawfully conferred on him within his own\njurisdiction.\n\nI. No special conservator of the peace shall display or use the word\n“police” on any uniform, badge, credential, or vehicle in the\nperformance of his duties as a special conservator of the peace. Other than\nspecial conservators of the peace employed by a state agency, no special\nconservator of the peace shall use the seal of the Commonwealth on any uniform,\nbadge, credential, or vehicle in the performance of his duties. However, upon\nrequest and for good cause shown, the order of appointment may provide that a\nspecial conservator of the peace who (i) meets all requirements, including the\nminimum compulsory training requirements, for law-enforcement officers set forth\nin Chapter 1 (§ 9.1-100 et seq.) of Title 9.1 and (ii) is employed by the\nShenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission or the Richmond Metropolitan\nTransportation Authority may use the word “police” on any badge,\nuniform, or vehicle in the performance of his duties or the seal of the\nCommonwealth on any badge or credential in the performance of his duties.\n\nJ. A special conservator of the peace may possess simultaneous registration with\nthe Department of Criminal Justice Services as an armed security officer\npursuant to Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 and\nshall maintain the rights, requirements, and restrictions contained therein.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-28; 1960, c. 366; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1975, c. 495;\n1976, c. 220; 1982, c. 523; 1989, c. 455; 1996, cc. 850, 956; 2001, c. 249;\n2002, cc. 605, 836, 868; 2003, c. 922; 2004, c. 401; 2005, c. 498; 2006, c. 290;\n2007, cc. 380, 481; 2008, c. 795; 2010, cc. 530, 778, 825; 2013, cc. 105, 122;\n2015, cc. 602, 766, 772; 2016, c. 551; 2017, c. 494; 2018, c. 792; 2024, c. 577.","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}}