Special Operations Section

Accident Investigators are responsible for the detailed documentation and fact-finding examination of major vehicular crash scenes. Police Officers who have specialized training in accident investigation may be called to closely examine the scene of motor vehicle crashes where extremely serious injuries or loss of life occur.

The Crime Prevention Unit of the Chesapeake Police Department is dedicated to teaching citizens to protect themselves from crime. The Unit coordinates such programs as Neighborhood Watch and Officer Friendly, as well as many others. Safety presentations are made to schools, businesses, neighborhoods, day care and civic organizations. Residential and business security surveys are also available. The Crime Prevention Unit also works hand-in-hand with the Chesapeake Crime Prevention Council (CCPC) to bring communities together through the sharing of information with the common goal of reducing crime.

The Crisis Negotiation Unit's mission is to bring about a peaceful resolution to volatile situations and assist persons in crisis. The team is available to respond 24 hours a day to 7 days a week to incidents that involve barricaded persons, hostage situations, suicidal subjects, high risk warrants, and a wide variety of other events that threaten the safety of the community. The vast majority of incidents are brought to a peaceful resolution without the use of force.

Highly trained and experienced negotiators work to establish an ongoing dialog and rapport with the person or persons involved in the crisis. Team members gather information on the subjects involved, interview witnesses, and analyze intelligence information. The negotiations team works closely with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team on callouts as well as train together to ensure that they are able to provide the best options available to maximize the safety of the public and officers.

The K-9 Patrol Unit is assigned to the Special Operations Section. The officer, with his / her multi-trained canine, perform a vast range of tasks such as narcotic searches, performing building searches, evidence searches and apprehensions of dangerous criminals fleeing from officers. Other tasks include: tracking lost or elderly persons, and performing canine demonstrations to schools and civic organizations. Often the K-9 Unit will be requested in assisting other local, state or federal agencies.

With the large number of waterways in and around the City of Chesapeake, the enforcement of boating laws is a necessity. The Marine Patrol Unit patrols the waterways to both enforce the boating laws and to give aid and assistance to boaters in distress. The Marine Patrol Unit works closely with the Coast Guard to achieve their goals. Marine Patrol Officers have received specialized training in boat operation, boating documentation, boarding and entry techniques, boat safety inspection, seamanship and boating safety, in general, as well as training in federal, state and local laws concerning water traffic.

The Marine Patrol Unit enforces the areas in the City of Chesapeake which include: the Albemarle Chesapeake Canal, the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River, the southern branch of the Elizabeth River, the western branch of the Elizabeth River and the Northwest River.

The enforcement of the motor vehicle code pertaining to commercial, oversized and overweight vehicles is the primary responsibility of the Motor Carrier Unit. Working with the State Police, State Corporation Commission and other local cities, the Motor Carrier Unit enforces many laws to ensure the safety of the general motoring public. The Motor Carrier Unit investigates citizen complaints involving commercial vehicles and also sets up inspection sites along routes used by commercial motor vehicles.

Officers working in this unit must successfully complete the course(s) prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration's Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, in motor safety regulations, safety inspection procedures and out of service criteria.

The primary function of the Motorcycle Unit is the handling of escorts for dignitaries, funerals, wide loads and house movings, representing the City at parades and other special events, and the selective enforcement of traffic laws. In certain circumstances motorcycles have advantages over the much larger police cruisers that allow them to maneuver through stopped traffic and be less obvious in certain area while working radar.

The City of Chesapeake has five Harley Davidson FLH motorcycles which are used by the Motorcycle Unit. Three full time riders make up the Motorcycle Unit and two additional officers ride during special events. During adverse weather the motorcycles are garaged and police cruisers are utilized. While enforcing traffic laws, the Motorcycle Unit gives special emphasis to high accident locations, school zones, neighborhoods, public facilities and complaint areas. The Chesapeake Police Department Motorcycle Unit has won and placed highly in numerous police motorcycle competitions.

The School Crossing Guards are responsible for the safety of the many students who walk or ride bicycles to school and cross the street at dangerous locations. The School Crossing Guards work in the best and worst weather conditions to ensure the safe crossing of the children of the City. Although the school zones are clearly marked, many drivers fail to observe the safety regulations within the zone and the children rely on the School Crossing Guard to stop the traffic flow in order to travel to class. So remember when you drive, be aware and alert for children going to and coming home from school.

The Chesapeake Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) is a highly trained unit that is called upon for special operations that are beyond the scope of normal Department resources. They handle many different types of scenarios including barricaded persons, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service, high-risk surveillance, maritime security and dignitary protection. Additionally, the SWAT Team has been called upon to perform search and rescue operations involving lost persons.

The SWAT Team is a collateral duty unit comprised of several sworn officers serving in various capacities across the Department. SWAT officer candidates endure a rigorous screening process, complete a Basic SWAT Operator School and, if successful, later join the Team from a ranked eligibility list as positions become available.

In addition to serving as a SWAT Operator, several Team members also serve as Snipers or Breachers. Snipers specialize in precision long-rifle marksmanship and receive additional weapons and tactics training each month. Breachers are responsible for creating Team entry points through doors, windows and walls using a variety of implements and also receive additional training each month.

The SWAT Team is supported by Tactical Paramedics and Physicians who monitor the health and safety of SWAT officers and citizens; specially trained Tactical K-9 Teams who assist with locating barricaded suspects; and specially trained Tactical Dispatchers who record time sensitive data required for command decision making. Additionally, the SWAT Team works very closely with the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) for hostage situations, barricaded person operations and high-risk warrant services.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit is responsible for selective enforcement activities for traffic law violations and weights and measure laws. Additionally, the Traffic Enforcement Unit handles funeral and oversized vehicle escort requests, house moving escorts, inspections of taxi cabs, traffic related citizen complaints, assisting in accident investigations, D.U.I. enforcement, child safety seat inspections and many other traffic related special assignments.

A Lieutenant, the Executive Officer of the Special Operations Section, commands the Unit. Responsibilities include the supervision of school crossing guards, managing the records and billing of alarms, maintaining the police wrecker list, compiling incident reports for high accident and D.U.I. locations, preparing and submitting budget requests for the Unit, and preparing and submitting grant requests for specialized traffic enforcement projects.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit consist of the Motorcycle Unit, School Crossing Guard Unit, Selective Enforcement Radar Unit and the Motor Carrier Unit. The Traffic Enforcement Unit's primary concerns are the enforcement of traffic laws and the reduction of traffic deaths, injuries and accidents with the ultimate goal of the safe, efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the city.

The Underwater Search and Recovery Team is comprised of officers from the Police Department. Officers assigned to the Team do so in addition to their regular duties and on a volunteer basis. Members of the Team are responsible for providing underwater search and recovery of drowning victims, evidence to a crime, and items deemed a hazard to navigation. The Team also provides rescue services to victims of water accidents. Additionally, the Underwater Search and Recovery Team provides demonstrations for public relations functions, including school career days and Crime Council functions. The Team uses sophisticated diving equipment, including dry suits and full-face masks with underwater communications.

The Warrant Unit is part of the Special Operations Section and is staffed by sworn police officers and an Office Associate. The Warrant Unit works in conjunction with the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, Fugitive Squad, and maintains records of all the summonses, warrants, and detention orders it receives using a departmental database, the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer systems. While any officer may serve criminal papers, the Warrant Unit is specifically tasked to actively search for wanted persons. The Warrant Unit officers serve a high percentage of the criminal papers they receive from the magistrates, courts and other jurisdictions.