Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office

Spotsylvania County, Virginia relies on its sheriff's office for nearly every law enforcement function, and the depth of its specialty units shows it. Forensic detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division process crime scenes for blood, fibers, glass, accelerants, firearms, fingerprints and footwear impressions, and Virginia circuit courts have accepted them as experts in blood spatter, firearms and bullet trajectory; other investigative units cover crime analysis, child victims, special investigations and internet crimes against children. The Special Operations Division groups traffic services, including a motor squad and motor carrier enforcement, with school resource officers, bike patrol, SWAT, K-9, crisis negotiators, search and rescue, Project Lifesaver, a marine patrol unit, a dive team and a behavioral health unit. The office also runs animal control and the county animal shelter, enforcing state and county animal codes, picking up livestock and pets running at large, investigating cruelty and neglect, and holding rabies clinics each spring and fall. Other divisions handle 911 communications, civil process and warrants, and security for the circuit, general district and juvenile and domestic relations courts. Teenagers can join a cadet program, and residents can volunteer through VIPS, ride along with a deputy on patrol or start a neighborhood watch.