Compliments, Complaints and Investigations
The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office strives each day to perform at the highest level of professionalism. Under the command of Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, the Alexa
ndria Sheriff's Office achieved many accomplishments and contributed in even greater ways to the welfare of the City and its residents. While the Office receives many kudos and compliments, we welcome all feedback concerning our performance and the way we serve you. To let us know how we're doing, please feel free to contact us at 703-746-5009 or 703-746-5014 and share how well we're doing or how you'd like to see us improve.
Some of our accomplishments include:
- Acquisition of Sherman, the Office's first bomb-sniffing canine. Sherman was acquired at no charge from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Handled by Deputy John O'Hara, Sherman works to ensure the safety of the Public Safety Center and City at large from explosive threats.
- Full partnership with Alexandria Police and Fire Departments. Alexandria's public safety depends upon the close partnership of the Police Department, Fire Department and Sheriff's Office. Under the leadership of Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, the Sheriff's Office has stepped up its efforts to enhance public safety outside of the walls of the courthouse and Detention Center. Whether assisting police in responding to crime-related incidents, providing investigative resources, performing traffic control or enhancing security for special events, the Sheriff's Office has been a valuable resource to its partnership agencies and to the City.
- Implementation of VINE in Alexandria. VINE-- Victim Information and Notification Everyday-- is a computer based tracking system that allows victims of crime and any other citizen to track the movement of an offender throughout his or her incarceration. The website, www.vinelink.com, provides information on where the offender is incarcerated and on any
established release dates. The system adds another layer of protection for crime victims to receive notification of the pending release of their offenders. As the lead agency for VINE in Alexandria, the Sheriff's Office was responsible for coordinating the implementation of the service, and ensuring that information on the status of offenders in the Alexandria Detention Center is communicated to VINE in a timely manner.
Maintaining Our Integrity
The Sheriff's Office upholds for its staff the highest standards of integrity and dedication to duty. Maintaining these high standards requires swift and effective investigation of all citizen complaints and allegations of improper action. The internal affairs function accomplishes this task. Please click here to view internal affairs investigations by type and disposition statistics for calendar years 2001 through 2008.