Special Operations
This bureau of the Operations Division supports department-wide operations with various highly trained specialty tactical units.
The Special Operations section of the Operations Division is comprised of highly trained and equipped officers responsible for specialized traffic enforcement, maintaining and deploying rapid response tactical teams for handling unusual or significant occurrences, and conducting dedicated law enforcement actions on land, by sea, and in the air.
In order to accomplish these responsibilities, members are assigned to various specialty units and possess unique knowledge and skills specific to their unit’s role.
Special Operations Divisions
Aviation Unit - Helicopter Operations
The Virginia Beach Police Department Aviation Unit provides police aviation resources to department patrol and investigative operations.
Bomb Squad
The primary responsibility of the Bomb Squad is to provide safe resolution to situations involving suspicious items or known improvised explosive devices (IED's).
Canine Unit
The Virginia Beach Police Department K9 Corps is dedicated to providing a safe community, improving the quality of life for all citizens and protecting our fellow officers.
Crisis Negotiation Team
The Crisis Negotiation Team uses proven intervention techniques to defuse situations involving suicidal or barricaded individuals or persons who may hold hostages.
Homeland Security & Emergency Management
The Virginia Beach Police Liaison for All-Hazards planning with the city's Office of Emergency Management.
Marine Patrol - Dive Team
The Marine Patrol Dive Team Units are dedicated to enforce local and state maritime laws, rendering assistance in emergency and distress situations, providing security on the waterways, and maintaining the safest possible boating environment.
Motor Carrier Safety Unit
The Motor Carrier Safety Unit conducts roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles This unit responses to environmental issues and hazardous materials incidents as part of the city's Environmental Crimes Task Force.
Motorcycle Unit
The Motorcycle Unit responds to traffic-related calls-for-service, traffic crashes, disabled vehicles, funeral escorts, traffic light outages, and assists precinct units as needed.
Mounted Patrol
The Virginia Beach Police Mounted Patrol Unit was created in 1985. The mission of the unit is the patrol of the resort area of the city assisting with crowd management and proactive enforcement activities.
Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team
The Virginia Beach Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) is responsible for the resolution of situations requiring extraordinary police actions, tactics, and/or equipment.
Traffic Safety Unit
The Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) operates 24 hours a day to respond to all traffic accidents involving a death, critical injuries, police vehicles when injuries occur and complex motor vehicle crashes. The TSU uses aggressive enforcement and other traffic safety initiatives to make road travel safer for the Virginia Beach community.
Warrant and Fugitive Unit
The Warrant and Fugitive Unit serves felony and misdemeanor criminal warrants, conducting violent offender investigations and coordinating with other VBPD investigators to identify, locate and apprehend violent felony offenders. The Warrant and Fugitive Unit also coordinates with local, state and federal agencies when handling fugitive investigations and arrests.