The Model Policies Manual for Virginia Law-Enforcement Agencies is a collection of important administrative and operational policies required by the Code of Virginia or adopted by DCJS to address new, changing, or emerging areas of criminal justice.

The Model Policies Manual is intended to help local agencies develop their own comprehensive written guidance that complies with or meets requirements of the Code. In many cases, the Code requires all law enforcement agencies to have written policy on certain topics, but it does not require agencies to adopt verbatim any of the model policies from this collection. If you have any suggestions for model policy topics, please contact Gary Dillon at 804.786.8421, or gary.dillon@dcjs.virginia.gov

The following Model Policies are published by DCJS and may be mandated by the Code of Virginia. Each January, these policies are reviewed and revised if appropriate. Revised policies will be published by July 1 of each year. Policies are hyperlinked below.

*Denotes Model Policies that were created or updated as a result of either a legislative or executive branch study or action.