Law Enforcement Decertification

DECERTIFICATION AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT UPDATES

This material will be updated periodically!

 

Decertifications

The Department of Criminal Justice Services has been developing processes to assist Virginia Law-Enforcement Agencies submit the necessary notification information and documentation to ensure that any suitable decertification concerns are addressed effectively, appropriately, and fairly in accordance with the recently enacted updates to Virginia Code 15.2-1707.

Code of Virginia: 15.2-1707. Decertification of law-enforcement officers. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-1707/

Please direct questions or notifications to the following email address: LEJDecert@dcjs.virginia.gov

 

DCJS LE Decertification Team email contact information:

 

Please direct any FOIA requests to:         FOIA@dcjs.virginia.gov

 

DCJS has developed a Newly Revised “Request for Decertification” (Form DC-1, Version 1.5- 11-2022) questionnaire to assist agencies in providing the necessary notification and information to determine the suitability of a submission for decertification.  Please discard the previous version of the form, if in use.

 

Please scan and email the completed, signed, questionnaire to: LEJDecert@dcjs.virginia.gov

 

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 UPDATE:

Pursuant to Virginia Code 15.2-1708 (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter17/section15.2-1708/), Appeal Hearing Dates have been tentatively prescheduled to allow the Executive Committee of the Criminal Justice Service’s Board to be available to conduct Decertification Appeal hearings.  Upcoming dates for the 2023 Calendar Year are as follows:

 

  • January 19/20, 2023 CONCLUDED
  • March 16, 2023
  • May 18/19, 2023
  • July 20/21, 2023 (Tentative)
  • September 21/22, 2023 (Tentative)
  • November 16/17, 2023 (Tentative)
  • 2024 dates will be posted upon approval of the CJSB Executive Committee.

 

Additional details on hearing times, location, agenda, and other information will be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall Website (https://townhall.virginia.gov/)

Please find a sample “Flow Chart’ describing the Law Enforcement Decertification process as employed by DCJS Staff, in accordance with the notated Virginia Code Sections.  (“DCJS Process for Officer Decertification” Flow CHART)

Statewide Standards of Conduct

February 2023…

The DRAFT version of the Statewide Standards of Conduct for Law Enforcement and Jail Officers (6 VAC 20-20) has been presented to and approved by the Criminal Justice Services Board at it’s June 16, 2022 meeting.  The draft document was submitted into the regulatory process where it remains under review before implementation.   

Please check the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall Website, under the Regulatory Activity Section under Board:  Criminal Justice Services Board for additional information on the Standards of Conduct and other items in the regulatory process.     https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/NowInProgress.cfm

Updates and additional information will be posted as available.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Law Enforcement Division

Virginia Department of Criminal justice Services