Community Policing Programs
- Internship Opportunities
- Safeguard Program
- Project Lifesaver
- Neighborhood Watch
- Business Watch
- Worship Watch
- Crime Prevention
- Prescription Drug Turn In
- Fingerprinting
- Request Presentation
- Request Safety Assessments and Surveys
- Request Extra Patrols
- Public Education
- Concealed Handgun Course
- Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
- Crime Stoppers
- Social Media Outreach
Internship Opportunities
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office recognizes the desire to volunteer and participate in the Sheriff's Office in the community. The Sheriff's Office also recognizes the value these volunteers provide to the organization, and also the value that the Sheriff's Office can provide to persons interested in internships with the Sheriff's Office.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office has limited spaces, but a variety of opportunities for individuals to intern. Interns get the chance to not only witness the day to day functions of the Sheriff's Office, but also get to directly participate in many functions and can even ride along with Deputies as a part of their Internship.
Students at the Rappahannock Community College, other Colleges, and Universities (online/distance education included!) are encouraged to apply! Build your resume, experience, and skill set by joining our team today!
Individuals interested in more information about our internship opportunities, contact us online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611!
Safe Guard Program
The Safe Guard Program is a program created by the Sheriff's Office to help keep a caring eye on our elderly and at-risk populations.
Individuals signed up for the Safe Guard Program call in to our friendly Communications Officers twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. They check in, say, "Hello!", and let our Communications Officers know that they are O.K. If a Safe Guard Member does not call in, our Communications Officers will attempt to contact friends/family members/neighbors/care takers using numbers provided by the Safe Guard Member, in order to make sure everything's O.K. If they are unable to make contact, one of our Deputy Sheriff's will go by the Member's residence, and check on them to ensure they are not in need of assistance.
This service is free and available to residents
If you or someone you know is interested, contact us online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611!
Project Lifesaver
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office strives to provide services to its residents and visitors. The Sheriff's Office, as a steward of public safety for the County, also recognizes that there are individuals that have disabilities, both mental and physical, that could potentially cause them to wander causing potentially life-threatening situations. Often considered for individuals that have Alzheimers, Autism, Down Syndrome, and Dementia, Project Lifesaver can be used for any individuals that may have some form of cognitive disorder that could cause them to wander.
Utilizing Project Lifesaver, trained Deputy Sheriff's from our Office will work with caretakers of individuals eligible for this program in order to implement a tracking device. This device worn by the resident, will allow our Deputies to use tracking devices to rapidly locate them.
If you or someone you know is interested in Project Lifesaver, contact us online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611!
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.
Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. The modern version of Neighborhood Watch was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs who were looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens and address an increasing number of burglaries.
Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities. Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office, through grant funding provided by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, is beginning to implement Neighborhood Watch Programs throughout the county.
If you are interested in more information, including participating in a Neighborhood Watch Program, contact us online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611!
Business Watch
Business Watch primarily establishes links among small businesses, and between them and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Basically, Business Watch is businesses (sometimes with community groups), taking systematic steps to reduce opportunities for crimes in and around business locations. It includes training business personnel to be eyes and ears for the Sheriff's Office. In Business Watch areas, Crime Prevention Deputies and business leaders assist business owners, operators, and employees in
- reporting crime: effectively observing and reporting to police on crimes and suspicious activities that could lead to crime;
- operation identification: marking all equipment, machines, etc., with traceable identification numbers for deterrence and tracing;
- robbery prevention: eliminating "easy prey" crime opportunities;
- burglary prevention: adding security measures to impede criminals, detect criminal activity, and communicate with the police; and
- self-protection: learning to recognize dangerous situations, and learning how to prevent, avoid, or flee them.
Business Watch programs often have a business leader act as the block security chief for the participating businesses. One or more Deputies are usually assigned to be the liaison with the Business Watch group. Local civic associations or other community groups may also participate, lending extra eyes and ears, especially for periods when the businesses are closed. Radio-equipped delivery and service vehicles may also become part of Business Watch.
If you are interested in more information, including participating in a Business Watch Program, contact us online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611!
Worship Watch
The purpose of the Worship Watch program is to encourage the free exchange of information regarding crime trends, crime prevention techniques and emergency preparedness between the Sheriff's Office and the Faith Community.
We also aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime in houses of worship and areas frequented by the faith community as well as provide for emergency preparedness partnership initiatives. We provide education and partnership opportunities to our faith community in an effort to recognize crime risks, train them to accurately report crimes, and be better prepared in the event of an emergency.
If you are interested in more information, including participating in a Worship Watch Program, contact us online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611!
Crime Prevention
Prescription Drug Turn In
Annually, the Sheriff's Office participates in the Drug Enforcement Administration's initiative, the National Take-Back Initiative. Every year, The Richmond County Sheriff's Office will give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
During the hosted events, residents are encouraged to bring pills for disposal to the Sheriff's Office for disposal.
(The Sheriff's Office cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Fingerprinting
The Sheriff's Office provides free fingerprinting services for adults for individuals needing them for employment applications or for background check purposes. Due to shift staffing and demand, we ask that you schedule an appointment in advance by contacting our office at (804) 333-3611.
The Sheriff's Office also can bring a mobile inkless fingerprinting station for children to events in the community, allowing parents to take with them copies of their children's information and fingerprints for safekeeping. To reserve this resource, contact us at (804) 333-3611.
Request Presentation
The Crime Prevention Deputy is responsible for community education programs, and has given presentations on:
Active Shooter Response
Concealed Handgun Permit Course
Public Transportation Safety
Robbery Prevention and Awareness
Home Security
Internet Security
Not only are these presentations available, but our Crime Prevention Deputy can work with you and your organization to tailor make a presentation to suit your needs!
To learn more about training opportunities or to request a presentation, contact our Crime Prevention Deputy online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611 !
Request Safety Assessments and Surveys
Our Crime Prevention Deputy has received advanced training in conducting Safety Assessments and Surveys of both Residential and Commercial Properties. Our Deputy can come to you and take a strong look at your property, and come up with solutions with you in order to implement more safety and security into your property.
For more information or to request a safety assessment or survey, contact our Crime Prevention Deputy online here or by phone at (804) 333-3611 !
Request Extra Patrols
While the Sheriff's Office patrols the county covering the entirety on a regular basis, there are times when residents or businesses request extra patrols to be conducted at their properties. This could be due to vacation, security threats, suspicious activity, etc. The Sheriff's Office coordinates Extra Patrols with its Crime Prevention Deputy who ensures that when available, extra patrols are conducted by Patrol Deputies at properties that have requested them in order to prevent potential crimes from occurring.
Request an extra patrol online
Public Education
Concealed Handgun Course
Receive training in Concealed Carry Laws, Risk Assessment, Reasons to Conceal Carry, Lethal Force, Self Defense, Defense of Others, "Castle Doctrine", Where You Can/Can't Conceal Carry, What to Do When Encountering Law Enforcement, Firearms Nomenclature, Safe Carry of Firearms, Holsters, Methods of Safe Storage of Firearms , and How to Apply for Concealed Carry Permits.
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004, provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, medical issues, and drills.
Register for upcoming training events here!
Crime Stoppers
If you have any information on a crime occurring or that has occurred in Richmond County, please call the Richmond County Crime Stoppers at (804) 333-TIPS (8477). You do not have to give your name and your phone call will not be recorded. You will be given a code number to protect your identity.
If the information you give is useful to the Sheriff's Office, you could receive a reward up to $1,000.00.
Submit a Tip Online! Go to www.tipsoft.com or download the mobile TipSubmit app for android or iPhones www.tipsoft.com to learn more. Both are anonymous but powerful tools in helping your community.
You may also simply text the word TIPS RC along with the information you wish to share to the number 274637.
Social Media Outreach
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office maintains liaison with the public by maintaining accounts on:
The Sheriff's Office reaches tens of thousands of persons every year through hundreds of social media posts. The Sheriff's Office is able to reach a wider, more technology driven audience allowing the development of community partnerships, relationships, and information sharing. The Sheriff's Office corresponds daily with requests for information, general questions, non-emergent crime reports, and more through each service.
Follow @RichmondCoSO on Twitter!
