Henrico County Police Department
The Henrico County Division of Police is the primary law enforcement agency serving 318,864 people within 245 square miles (630 km2) of jurisdiction within Henrico County, Virginia.
| Henrico County Division of Police | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name | Henrico Police |
| Abbreviation | HCPD |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | December 14, 1871 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Henrico, Virginia, United States |
 | |
| Map of Henrico County Division of Police's jurisdiction. | |
| Size | 245 square miles (630 km2) |
| Population | 318,864 |
| Legal jurisdiction | Henrico County |
| Governing body | County (United States) |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Henrico, Virginia |
| Police Officers | 647 |
| Agency executive |
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| Facilities | |
| Stations | 3 |
| Boats | 1 |
| Planes | 1 |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
The first known police department in the county began December 14, 1871, with the appointment of a special police officer. In 1908, the Board of Supervisors recommended that a mounted patrol be used. The Division of Police was officially created in 1915 with T. Wilson Seay elected as the first chief of police. In 1934 when the county converted to the county manager form of government, the department had eight officers. In 1938, the board of supervisors placed the Division of Police under the direct control of the county manager.[1]
The department has 647 sworn police officers. The agency is headed by Colonel Humberto I. Cardounel, Jr. Chief Cardounel joined the Henrico County Police Division on October 3, 1988. On April 15, 2016, he was appointed as Chief of Police. Chief Cardounel was promoted through the ranks within the Police Division to his previous position as Deputy Chief of Police of the Investigative Bureau. Throughout his career, he served in Patrol, Special Operations, Criminal Investigations, Organized Crime, Police Personnel, Police Training Academy, Media Relations, Internal Affairs, and both the SWAT Team and the Negotiations Team. The Chief of Police is appointed by the county manager and is the chief law enforcement officer in the county.[2]
Select Operational Units
The HCPD has the following operational units:
- Traffic Crash Team The Traffic Crash Team enforce traffic laws, investigate traffic complaints, conduct traffic safety surveys and work with traffic engineers. They also provide assistance with funeral and dignitary escorts, school crossing posts, and they are responsible for breathalyzer equipment maintenance and record keeping.
- Marine Patrol Unit The Marine Patrol Unit officers ensure the safety of its citizens while on the waterways.
- Animal Protection The Animal Protection unit cares to rescued animals, rabies shots clinics four times annually, animal rescue, and education and training on the following topics: pet owner pet care responsibility, pet owner civic responsibility, pet disease prevention and proactive health care, customized programs for your group or organization.
- Metro Aviation Unit The Metro Aviation Unit provides aerial surveillance for foot and vehicle pursuits, traffic control, drug interdiction, and provide a perspective from above for fire fighting, accident scenes, and disaster damage.
- Motor Unit The Motor Unit conduct traffic safety operations, speed enforcement and provide escorts for visiting dignitaries and funeral processions.
- Motorist Assistance The Motorists Assistance unit report traffic hazards and perform other duties as required.
- Safety Officer (Crossing Guards) The Safety Officer unit serves as a liaison with Pupil Transportation, the Division of Fire, and traffic engineers regarding school crossings, parking, and other traffic related issues.[3]
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Henrico County Police Department, 9 officers have died in the line of duty.[4]
| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer John H. Yarbrough | Gunfire | |
| Officer Lewis Ray Beddow | Vehicular assault | |
| Patrolman Welford Early Green | Gunfire | |
| Patrolman Jerry Edwin Trimmer | Automobile accident | |
| Patrolman Barry Wayne Maham | Gunfire | |
| Patrolman Donald A. Stillman | Gunfire | |
| Officer John Patrick Harris | Automobile accident | |
| Officer William Herman Edwards III | Motorcycle accident | |
| Officer Andre Gerard Booker | Drowned |
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Virginia
- Henrico County Sheriff's Office