The Professional Standards Division conducts and coordinates the investigations of allegations of misconduct on the part of Virginia State Police employees. Any person who feels he/she was not treated fairly by any employee of the Virginia State Police, or is aware of any improper action or improper conduct of any employee of the Virginia State Police, should contact a supervisor at the nearest State Police office or the Professional Standards Division at either (804) 799-3223 or IAUnit@vsp.virginia.gov.
Division Commander:
Captain Brian K. Blackman
Phone:
Captain’s Office
(804) 799-3238
Professional Standards Division
(804) 799-3223
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Attn: Professional Standards Division
Fax: (804) 323-2303
Email: IAUnit@vsp.virginia.gov
Investigations
The Professional Standards Division prepares statistical summaries of professional standards investigations. These reports are made available to employees and the public upon request. Please contact any Virginia State Police Office if you would like to obtain a copy of the complete report.
The following is a concise summary of investigations conducted by the Professional Standards Division.
Professional Standards Investigations | CY2023 | CY2022 | CY2021 | CY2020 | CY2019 | CY2018 | CY2017 | CY2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Complaints | 218 | 168 | 151 | 162 | 188 | 227 | 257 | 210 |
Disposition | ||||||||
Not Sustained 1 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 43 | 37 |
Sustained 2 | 105 | 89 | 83 | 77 | 95 | 119 | 150 | 99 |
Exonerated/Unfounded Inquiry 3 | 70 | 56 | 53 | 81 | 53 | 69 | 48 | 68 |
Pending/Resigned/ Retired/Separated 4 | 33 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 6 |
Origin | ||||||||
External/Citizen Complaint | 78 | 75 | 46 | 51 | 67 | 71 | 95 | 111 |
Internal Complaint | 140 | 93 | 105 | 111 | 121 | 156 | 162 | 99 |
Those Sustained From | ||||||||
External/Citizen Complaint | 19 | 22 | 13 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 28 | 29 |
Internal Complaint | 86 | 67 | 70 | 62 | 82 | 105 | 122 | 70 |
Those Sustained Resulting in | ||||||||
Formal Discipline | 42 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 32 | 43 | 63 | 47 |
figures are current as of 4/5/2024
[1] Not Sustained: Insufficient facts exist to either prove or disprove allegations.
[2] Sustained: The facts substantiate the specific allegations made or other misconduct.
[3 Exonerated: The facts show the employee did not violate policy or law.
Unfounded Inquiry: The facts in an initial inquiry reveal the alleged actions of the employee are not a violation of policy and/or the complainant recants the alleged improper action(s).
[4] Pending: The inquiry has not concluded.
Resigned: The employee resigned prior to the conclusion of the inquiry/investigation.
Retired: The employee retired prior to the conclusion of the inquiry/investigation
Separated: The employee was separated prior to the conclusion of the inquiry/investigation
The Department’s complaint process
A complaint may be made in the following ways:
- Go to any Department facility and ask to speak with a supervisor
- Contact the Professional Standards Division at telephone number (804) 799-3223 or via email at IAUnit@vsp.virginia.gov
- Write a letter to the Superintendent of State Police or the Director of the Professional Standards Division at P.O. Box 27472, Richmond, VA 23261-7472
- Complete a Complaint Form online or use a downloadable form (SP-163 Word | SP-163 PDF | SP-163A – How the Complaint Process Works). This form is also available at all State Police offices, by mail, or on the VSP website Forms page.
Note: Department personnel will meet with you at a location in which you feel comfortable, if necessary. The following information will assist in our investigation:
- Date, time, and location of the incident
- Names of the employee(s) involved
- Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses
The Interview
You will meet with a Department supervisor or Professional Standards investigator to discuss the complaint. If after this discussion, you are satisfied with the explanation and assistance provided, then no further action is taken. However, if the complaint remains unresolved, the supervisor or investigator will take your information and ensure the complaint is considered by the appropriate personnel.
After the Complaint is Made
A record of your complaint will be forwarded to the Professional Standards Division for evaluation and assignment. Allegations of criminal wrongdoing are typically investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation prior to the initiation of an administrative investigation.
Note: You will be notified in writing that your complaint was received, and you may be asked to talk to the supervisor or investigator assigned to conduct the investigation.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Professional Standards investigations are completed within 20 workdays of assignment to an investigator, except when an extension is granted due to extenuating circumstances.
After the Investigation
All completed investigations are forwarded to the employee’s division commander or bureau director for disposition.
Disposition of the Investigation
Division commanders will use the following terminology when resolving complaints:
Sustained – The facts substantiate the specific allegation(s) made or other misconduct.
Not Sustained – Insufficient facts exist to either prove or disprove the allegation(s) made.
Exonerated – The facts show the employee did not violate policy or law.
Unfounded Inquiry – The facts in an initial inquiry reveal the alleged actions of the employee are not in violation of the Standards of Conduct. Complainant recants the alleged improper action(s).
After Department management reaches final disposition, appropriate action is taken. The disposition of the complaint is a confidential personnel matter and is not released to the complainant.
Disciplinary Action
If an investigation indicated the employee committed an offense necessitating disciplinary action, such action taken will be commensurate with the severity of the offense. Mitigating circumstances may also be considered. The disciplinary action may involve counseling, remedial training, suspension, or transfer, demotion or termination.