A Message from the Sheriff

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

As a life long Alexandrian, I have had the privilege of living in a City rich with pride, heritage, and community spirit. People in Alexandria work together, help each other, and get involved.

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is committed to this same spirit of community that so well defines this City. Community involvement and outreach have been strong priorities of my administration, and my staff has enthusiastically displayed their willingness to be a part of the events and issues that shape Alexandria.

The creation two years ago of a Community Relations Deputy is one example of our commitment to partnership. Deputy Monique Edwards has served in this position with excellence, from her involvement with the City’s schools, faith based organizations and civic/community associations, to her coordination of our Office’s first community liaison program. Through our community liaison program, Sheriff’s Office staff meet regularly with members of the City’s civic/community associations for information sharing and to promote ways for the Sheriff’s Office to work together with concerned citizens to make our City a great place to live.

Making things better often means lending a helping hand to those who need it. The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has proven itself a great contributor to the City, providing hands to help when work was being done, food to help the hungry, and guidance to our youngest citizens. Examples of our commitment to community service include the recent delivery to the City’s 17 public schools of thousands of dollars in school supplies collected by Community Partners for Children. The school supplies were collected and delivered to help ensure all of Alexandria’s students had the supplies they needed to start the school year. Other projects include the delivery of holiday meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas to families in need; the collection and delivery by Sheriff’s Office staff of hundreds of dollars of food to the local food bank, and the volunteer service provided by staff as part of the City’s annual Spring for Alexandria community service events.

Recognizing the importance of investing in our City’s youth, the Sheriff’s Office has been active in helping to shape the lives of young people all over the City. During the past year, Sheriff’s Deputies have taught over 30 criminal justice and/or self-defense classes at T.C. Williams High School. A willing participant in the City’s Teens Work program, the Office provided three youth the opportunity to have summer jobs and gave one graduating senior a memorable internship experience. A highlight of summer 2009, however, was the graduation of 16 youth from our Office’s first Youth Academy.

Despite all of our activities, sometimes, just being there is what counts. The Sheriff’s Office has been there, at so many times and for so many events. We have helped to make the City safe during school festivals, parades and City celebrations. We have been positive role models for our City’s children and by being there have built good relations with citizens all across the City. Our participation in Del Ray’s First Thursdays, Art on the Avenue, the City’s National Night Out events and this year’s Presidential Inauguration are only a few examples of our commitment to be an active part of this City, and a contributor to events that shape our nation.

As your Sheriff, I am committed to furthering activities that bring our Office closer to the citizens of Alexandria, to build partnerships that serve the City, and at all times to be a good neighbor. My staff and I look forward to serving you in the coming years, to working with you, and to being a part of what makes Alexandria a great place to live, work, and play.

With Warmest Regards,

sheriff's signature

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is responsible for the operation of the Detention Center, courthouse and courtroom security,service of all court legal documents, execution of court orders, transportation of prisoners, execution of arrest warrants, and general public safety and law enforcement. All powers, responsibilities and duties of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office derive from common law, the Virginia Constitution, the Code of Virginia and the Alexandria Charter.

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is a highly professional organization with 217 Deputy Sheriffs and civilian personnel. The Office is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The Office has been honored by the National Sheriff's Association with the prestigious "Triple Crown Award" for achieving these national accreditations. The Office is also Virginia state certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections.

To learn more about the Office, please see our the FY 2008 Annual Report and our Newsletter.