Deputy Chief Shannon Wichtendahl joined the Virginia Beach Police Department in 1988 and has served in three of the four precincts, Special Investigations, Special Operations and Professional Development and Training.

As a supervisor, she has served in several different roles in operations to include, Community Policing Supervisor, Executive Aide to the Deputy Chief, Animal Control Enforcement Unit Lieutenant, Command Duty Officer and Commanding Officer of the Second Precinct.

Deputy Chief Wichtendahl has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a specialization in Homeland Security and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. She is very passionate and active with the community specifically involving mental health issues.

In 2014, she was recognized as the Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year for the entire State of Virginia. She created a non-profit “Autism Buddies” to provide respite opportunities for families with children living with Autism.


  • Your VBPD
    • Mission, Values & Ethics Leadership Chief Paul Neudigate Deputy Chief Sean Adams Deputy Chief Shannon Wichtendahl Deputy Chief Jeffery Wilkerson Deputy Chief William Zelms Explore the Department Precincts First Precinct Second Precinct Third Precinct Fourth Precinct Divisions Administrative Investigative Operations Support Chaplains Crime Reporting Unit Crisis Intervention Team Detective Bureau Cold Case Homicide Unit False Alarm Reduction Unit Forensic Services Unit Internal Affairs Bureau Public Affairs School Resource Officer Program Special Investigations Special Operations Training Bureau Policies & Field Guides Department Data Initiatives Body-Worn Camera Program The 30x30 Pledge Red Light Cameras Officer Wellness