Operating Budget 2025-2026

POLICE DEPARTMENT

NARRATIVE

The Blacksburg Police Department's mission is to provide exceptional service and protection through leadership and partnership with the community. Our vision is to serve as a dynamic, progressive, and professional organization dedicated to maintaining community partnerships that promote a high quality of life for the Town's diverse population. The Department is committed to treating all people with dignity, fairness, and respect, protecting their rights, and providing equal protection under the law. FY 2024-2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Initiated Co-Responder position in conjunction with New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS). • Re-Accredited through Commission on Acreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) as Advanced Meritorious. • Added three additional sworn positions to help keep up with the faily call volume and remain responsive to citizen requests for service. • Continued to develop and expand Crime Analyst capabilities to allocate resources efficiently. • Updated LIDAR capabilities for traffic safety. • Updated software capabilities to automate Personel Complaints, Use of Force, Pursuits ect. • Received and implemented protective vests for canines to improve their safety. • Performed many community outreach events including the senior breakfast, community bed build, and quarterly blood drive. • Brought back bike patrol in the Downtown to improve service delivery. • Received approval as a Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) satellite training facility. • Successfully prevented The Grinch from interrupting the Holidays. FY 2025-2026 OBJECTIVES • Continue to identify and invest in successful strategies for all department staff in career development and succession planning. • Continue reevaluating the overall growth and development of the Police Department to keep up with the needs of the Town and community. • Continue to move the department towards more data driven policing to efficiently use existing resources. • Continue to invest in our recruitment and retention programs, "Serve at Home," benefits packages to draw qualified local candidates into police work. • Continue the development of the training division, the Field Ttraining Officer (FTO) program, community outreach programs, and new training programs. • Begin updating the Fusion Center equipment.

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