Richmond Police Department (Virginia)
Encyclopedia
The Richmond Police Department (RPD) is the primary law enforcement agency servicing 204,214 people within 62.5 square miles (161.9 km²) of jurisdiction within Richmond, VA. The RPD is accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standard Commission.
Services:
Administrative Services
Administrative Services has the responsibility of management oversight for the major administrative areas of the Police Department.Services:
- Division of Emergency Communications It overlooks public safety and non-public safety radio communications for Richmond.
- Planning Division It is responsible for the developing, review, and monitoring of all policies and procedures of the RPD.
- Records and Technology It manages all technical hardware and software services and systems.
- Training Division It is responsible for training all of the RPD employees. They are also active with the training academy.
Community
- Citizens’ Academies It builds a relationship and understanding between the citizens and officers of Richmond.
- CAPS The Community Assisted Public Safety (CAPS) attempts to change the citizens of Richmond's minds about the way they think of their city and neighborhoods. It also tries to ensure that all of Richmond's neighborhoods are clean, safe, and healthy.
- Crime Prevention It is made up of crime prevention officers and implement crime prevention programs that include Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, and the Electric Neighborhood Watch. Specialists in the program speak to community groups and businesses about crime prevention.
- Neighborhood Assistance Officer Program It is consisted of uniformed, unpaid, and volunteers of the RPD. They do not have the authority to arrest over any other regular citizen. They are unarmed and drive a RPD vehicle.
- Police Athletic League
- School Resource Officers
- HOPE Unit
- Volunteers in Policing
Chief's Office
- Executive Protection Unit They are assigned to protect the mayor of Richmond.
- Finance Their tasks include budget development, grants management, property and evidence, and payroll and accounting.
- General Counsel They perform internal audits, examine existing and proposed policies, work with the Internal Affairs Division, work as part of senior management, and review policies and practices.
- Human Resources They are responsible for the recruitment and administrative management of all department employees.
- Office of Professional Responsibility The disciplinary review office.
- Internal Affairs They handle internal complaint investigations, firearms discharges, and excessive force allegations.
- Public Affairs They provide information about the operation and personnel of the RPD.
Operations
Operations consists of four precincts that covers Richmond. The four precincts are broken out into two areas.- Area 1:
- First Precinct: Sector 111, Sector 112, Sector 113
- Second Precinct: Sector 211, Sector 212, Sector 213
- Area 2:
- Third Precinct: Sector 311, Sector 312, Sector 313
- Fourth Precinct: Sector 411, Sector 412, Sector 413
Support Services
- Major Crimes It includes the Homicide, Violent Crimes, and the Youth and Family Crimes Units.
- Special Investigations Division It performs major case investigations against organizations involving narcotics trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling, and the sales and distribution of illegal liquors and pornography. The division includes the Narcotics, Asset Forfeiture, Gang, Vice, and Technical Assistance units.
- Special Events Division It consists of Traffic, Motors, Crash Team, Hit and Run Investigations, Mounted, K-9, Special Events, Aviation, Permits, Homeland Security, SWAT, Negotiators, Crowd Management Team, Bomb Squad, Homeland Security and Dignitary Visits.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Richmond Police Department, 28 officers have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Officer Thomas Kirkham | |
Fall |
| Officer Robert D. Austin | |
Gunfire |
| Captain John F. Shinberger | |
Gunfire |
| Officer Gerald M. Harmon | |
Gunfire |
| Officer Washington J. Curtis | |
Gunfire |
| Sergeant J. Harvey Burke | |
Gunfire |
| Detective Sergeant Louis Bertucci | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman Bennie F. Williams | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman William A. Toot | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman Horace C. Parker | |
Motorcycle accident |
| Patrolman William F. Snead | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman John A. Tibbs | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman Chauffeur Marvin L. Farmer | |
Stabbed |
| Patrolman John H. Posenau | |
Heart Attack |
| Patrolman Clifton H. White | |
Heart Attack |
| Patrolman James W. Crowder | |
Vehicle pursuit |
| Patrolman Luther K. Nuckols | |
Heart Attack |
| Patrolman Raymond B. Smith | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman David A. Cooper | |
Automobile Accident |
| Patrolman Harry Charlton III | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman Vernon Leigh Jarrelle Jr. | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman Edwin Hugh Stephenson Jr. | |
Vehicle pursuit |
| Patrolman Leward Robert Rich | |
Vehicle pursuit |
| Patrolman E. Allen Wakefield | |
Motorcycle accident |
| Patrolman Michael P. Connors | |
Gunfire |
| Detective George Ronald Taylor | |
Gunfire |
| Police Officer Thomas Francis (Mongo) McMahon | |
Gunfire |
| Police Officer Douglas Edward Wendel | |
Gunfire |