Office of Professional Responsibility

About the Office of Professional Responsibility

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) supports the mission of the police department by influencing and establishing sound regulations and policies and ensuring integrity between the police department’s actions and our governing laws, regulations, policies and professional standards. Above all else, the Arlington County Police Department is committed to the principle that all individuals will be treated with dignity and respect. We adhere to the protections afforded by the Constitution to assure everyone‘s rights are safeguarded. Employee actions are regulated by departmental policy, practices and the law. To maintain community trust, the department actively investigates all allegations of officer misconduct to ensure we are holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of professional law enforcement.

Reporting Complaints and Allegations of Misconduct by Employees

It is the policy of the Arlington County Police Department to provide members of the public with a fair and effective avenue for redress of complaints and allegations of misconduct. OPR is responsible for recording, registering, and controlling the investigation of complaints against, or alleged or suspected misconduct of employees of the Arlington County Police Department. The Department takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. Members of the public are encouraged to report incidents for investigation if they believe the actions of a police officer or civilian staff employee were inappropriate or violated the law or department policy.

 

Arlington County Code Chapter 69 requires the Arlington County Police Department to notify the Community Oversight Board (COB) of public complaints, provide the COB access to certain records related to the complaint, and give the opportunity for the Independent Policing Auditor (IPA) to participate in the investigation. If you have privacy concerns, please email: ACPDInternalAffairs@arlingtonva.us and ask to speak with an investigator.

Complaints may be submitted via: 

Online: ACPD Complaints

Email: ACPDInternalAffairs@arlingtonva.us

Phone: 703-228-4076

In-Person: Arlington County Courthouse       

                   ACPD Office of Records – 2nd Floor (Suite 2100) or request to speak to a supervisor

                   1425 N. Courthouse Road

                   Arlington, VA 22201

Click here for our Hours of Operation

Mail: Arlington County Police Department

        ATTN: OPR

        1425 N. Courthouse Road

        Arlington, VA 22201

When employee actions are not consistent with Arlington County policies and procedures, appropriate corrective measures are taken to ensure that type of incident does not occur in the future; this includes disciplinary action, up to and including termination. All internal administrative investigations are tracked and stored by the OPR. Failure to report an incident and/or misconduct by any member of the department is not tolerated.

Reporting Compliments of Employees

Compliments may be submitted via:

Online: ACPD Compliment

Email: ACPDInternalAffairs@arlingtonva.us

Phone: 703-228-4076

In-Person: Arlington County Courthouse

ACPD Office of Records - 2nd Floor (Suite 2100) or request to speak to a supervisor

1425 N. Courthouse Road

Arlington, VA 22201

Mail: Arlington County Police Department

ATTN: OPR

1425 N. Courthouse Road

Arlington, VA 22201

Requesting Records through VFOIA

Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3704(A) all public records are open to inspection and copying by citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and members of the media that broadcast or circulate in Virginia unless otherwise exempt. Please be advised that the Police Department maintains records of criminal investigations and records generated in law enforcement response in non-criminal matters. The release of these records is in compliance with and limited by Virginia Code § 2.2-3706.1 and Virginia Code § 2.2-3706 and other provisions of law.

Please be that advised pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-301, the Police Department is prohibited from disclosing any law-enforcement records concerning any juvenile except in compliance with this statute. Additionally, pursuant to Code of Virginia § 19.2-11.2, release of information of victims or witnesses of certain crimes is prohibited.

The Police Department provides access to some records through various links on our website. If you are considering a VFOIA request, please check to see if what you are seeking is already available.

Crime Data Hub                       Community Crime Map                        News Articles

Record Checks/Criminal History, Crash Reports, and Incident Verification Reports

Arlington County Public Records Request Archive

How to submit a FOIA

If you are seeking records maintained by the Police Department you may choose one of the options below. If you are seeking Emergency Communications Center (911 calls/CAD reports), EMS, and/or Fire Department records, please visit the County’s FOIA page and submit a “County Records” request. If you are seeking Arlington County Sheriff’s Office or Arlington County Detention Facility records, please visit ACSO's FOIA website.

You will receive a response within five working days of your request.

Web: Arlington County FOIA (Submit a “Police Records” request)

Email: ACPDInternalAffairs@arlingtonva.us

Phone: 703-228-4076

In-Person: Arlington County Courthouse 

ACPD Office of Records – 2nd Floor (Suite 2100)

1425 N. Courthouse Road

Arlington, VA 22201

For hours of operation please visit : Hours of Operation

What is required

As permitted by Code of Virginia 2.2-3704, you must provide your name and your legal address. The law also requires the requestor to identify the requested records with reasonable specificity. Please identify the type of records you are requesting. The Police Department is not required to create a new record in response to any VFOIA request.

Please be advised you may be asked to provide a copy your government issued photo ID, complete a Juvenile Certification form, or provide a HIPPA release if responsive records include certain confidential or sensitive records.

Cost

The Police Department is allowed to make reasonable charges for any VFOIA request that does not exceed the actual cost of such request. If it is determined in advance that the cost of any request will exceed $200, the Police Department can require a deposit. The Police Department will require payment of any prior charges that have been outstanding for 30 days from the requestor before any future request is honored. For additional information about the County’s policy for assessment of fees, please see the County’s FOIA website.

 

Civil Witness Subpoenas and Subpoena Duces Tecum

Service

The County requires subpoenas to be properly served on the County to comply with them. Subpoenas for Arlington County Police Department and its officers in their official capacity should be served in person to the Arlington County Attorney’s Office, 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.

Under Virginia law a subpoena dues tecum requires 14 days prior notice and witness subpoenas require 5 days prior notice. Please be mindful of subpoena service time.

Out of State Subpoenas

Under Code of Virginia § 8.01-412.12, subpoenas must comply with the requisite Virginia mandates. Please visit Code of Virginia § 8.01-412.10 for further information.

SDT in a Criminal Proceeding

Virginia Supreme Court Rule 3A:12(b) states in pertinent part: 

In a criminal proceeding, a subpoena duces tecum may not be used to obtain material from a party or from an agency or entity participating in, or charged with responsibility for, the investigation or prosecution of a criminal case. The Arlington County Police Department may move to quash subpoenas that are not compliant with the Virginia Supreme Court Rules or Virginia Code.

Discovery Orders

For open criminal prosecutions that the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office is not a party to:

Any signed Discovery Orders obtained pursuant to Virginia Supreme Court Rule 7C:5 can be emailed to ACPDInternalAffairs@arlingtonva.us for processing. Please be mindful that our office is unable to provide legal advice.