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Department History

1990-1999

Under the leadership of Chief Jones, the department continued to grow.  Vehicles were added to the fleet, uniforms were changed, a crime prevention unit was established, a bicycle patrol unit was formed and an Emergency Response Team was initiated.  In 1995, after much hard work and the printing/distributing of a departmental Directives Manual, the department was granted National Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.  This accomplishment allowed the department to receive national recognition as a full service, professional police department.  Seven positions were allocated to the department during this decade for a total of thirty-five sworn officers. 

2000-2006

The department greeted year 2000 with no problems and found itself on the leading edge of training and equipment.  After Chief Jones’ retirement, Acting Chief John Brotherton led the department in its first reaccreditation endeavor.  Virginia Tech Police was granted reaccreditation in March 2001.  This award once again proved the department to be a cut above in professional law enforcement.  The department also was granted the State and National Chief’s Law Enforcement Challenge Award for two consecutive years.  The university conducted a nationwide search for a new chief and in July 2001, Debra C. Duncan, formerly a Patrol Captain from High Point, North Carolina became the Chief of Police.  With a vision for community partnerships, the department is underwent a major reorganization which included a specific community outreach unit.  The department had forty sworn officers, eight dispatchers, seven security guards, three support personnel, numerous wage employees and four reserve officers.  Chief Duncan resigned her position with the Virginia Tech Police Department to be the Chief of Police in Monroe, North Carolina. 

2006-Present
 
Chief Wendell Flinchum, after 22 years of service, was selected to become the next Chief of Police.  The department responds to over 20,000 calls for service per year.  The university currently has over 26,000 students and is constantly increasing enrollment and campus facilities. In November of 2006, Chief Flinchum led the department in its third reaccreditation endeavor.   The department currently has forty-one sworn officers, eight dispatchers, eight security guards, four support personnel, and numerous wage employees. 

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      Last updated November 14, 2007
      http://www.police.vt.edu