The Public Safety Division at Virginia Tech is comprised of the Police Department, Environmental Health & Safety, and the Office of Emergency Management and has a critical role in supporting the well-being of our community. We are essential in planning for and responding to emergency events, and in creating a culture of preparedness where employees and students are safe in their work and living environments.

Police Captains in the Virginia Tech Police Department protect and serve a diverse community. Captains are a critical leadership position for the police department and are responsible for providing leadership at a division level within the department to multiple units and department programs. Captains exercise supervisory responsibility over other police supervisors, police officers and civilian staff. Responsibilities include facilitating consistent communication among the various units under their control and with senior police leaders; addressing personnel issues using state, university and department guidelines; applying sound leadership skills to promote effective unit performance and individual growth; conducting various administrative and investigative duties to include developing policies, completing analytical reviews, conducting compliance audits; providing oversight to a variety of department programs; and conducting special investigations, to include high-level internal affairs reviews. Captains also perform other duties as requested by supervisor, take initiative to support the best interests of the department and a healthy work environment, strive to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct, Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, and support the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

There are three police captain roles, the Administrative Captain (Blacksburg), the Operations Captain (Blacksburg), and the Support Services Captain (Northern Virginia). The three captains are cross-trained and work in concert to ensure the department and university operations are properly supported and provide consistent service on a daily basis. All positions report to the Deputy Chief of Police. A police captain is expected to be able to serve in any of the three roles.

The Support Services Captain is based in Northern Virginia and serves in a hybrid role. The position will hold responsibility for traditional law enforcement duties and is assigned certain emergency management functions.

As sworn law enforcement officers, Captains handle the investigation of criminal matters, motor vehicle accidents, personal injuries, enforcement of state and federal laws, and University policies; prepare reports; provide courtroom testimony; provide traffic direction and crowd management; respond to emergencies; and perform extended foot patrol.

Captains work a varying schedule that may include nights, weekends, and holidays; will report for duty in adverse weather conditions; have frequent public contact; and adhere to all criteria established for an internationally accredited police department.