By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

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By Michael Copley
Powhatan Today

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By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

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By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

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Va. AMBER Alerts

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Search FBI Crime Reports

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Powhatan
Sheriff's Office
Dial 911 for Emergencies
804-598-5652 - Office
804-598-5656 - Dispatch
Web site
Post Office Box 133
Powhatan, Va. 23139

The Powhatan Sheriff's office is the chief law enforcement agency in Powhatan County. The Sheriff's office is responsible for courtroom security, civil process, inmate transportation and housing, emergency 911 dispatch, animal control and victim/witness divisions.


Powhatan's current Sheriff is Greg Neal.

The Courtroom/Civil Process Division is supervised by Sgt. Tommy Broughton and has one part-time and three full-time deputies. This division is responsible for providing courtroom security and also serves all of the civil process warrants and subpoenas as well as handling the prisoner transportation to and from courts and local and regional jails.

The communications section receives calls for service and dispatches emergency services personnel, including police, fire and rescue.

Capt. Dan Giardini supervises the detective division and is responsible for criminal investigations along with two full-time investigators. Capt. Giardini is also the Asset Forfeiture Coordinator and is in charge of the Crime Solvers Program. Citizens who have information regarding crimes are advised to call 598-5654, are not required to give their names or testify in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information.

Training and Special Operations ensures that all deputies meet basic and in-service training requirements mandated by the Dept. of Criminal Justice Services. Lt. DeHart coordinates all special and elective training and serves as the head of the Sheriff's Special Response Team (SRT). SRT handles high-risk calls such as search warrants, hostage situations, armed, mental or suicidal subjects, and provides mutual aid to State Police and surrounding counties where specialized equipment or training is needed. Lt. DeHart also serves as Accreditation Manager and oversees highway safety programs involving education and enforcement.

The patrol unit has 17 deputies supervised by 1st Sgt. Randy Stickels, and Corporals within the patrol unit supervise the various shifts. Patrol deputies answer calls for service, take preliminary reports on crimes, perform fingerprinting, conduct DUI checkpoints, and are responsible for traffic control, speed enforcement, crash investigations, assist civil process with inmate transports, and do business and residential security checks. Patrol deputies also participate in special events within Powhatan County, give civic talks, and conduct bicycle safety clinics. The patrol unit has two deputies trained to conduct commercial motor vehicle inspections, and also has a specialized substance/drug canine to aid in the detection of narcotics.

The School Resource Officer division has four deputies including the supervisor, Sgt. Scott Lane. SROs provide education to students during the school year through Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), class action programs, and other classroom education. They assist school administration with safety and truancy issues and provide security during school hours and at extracurricular events. SROs also conduct school-related criminal investigations.

The deputies of the Animal Control division are responsible for animal protection and enforcement of state and local laws. Animal Control handles primarily domestic animal calls, but is also called upon for removal of snakes or rabid animals. The majority of wildlife calls are directed to the Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries. The Animal Control Shelter is located at 4000 Old Plantation Road and hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and by appointment. Anyone wishing to adopt an animal may call 598-5672.

The Victim/Witness coordinator for Powhatan and Cumberland County is Wendy McClellan. Ms. McClellan advises crime victims of their rights pursuant to the Crime Victims Bill of Rights Act, which involves the areas of protection, financial availability, notification, victim input and courtroom services.

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State Police
Virginia State Police
Area Six Headquarters
1765 Anderson Hwy.
Powhatan, Va. 23139
804-379-8645
804-553-3445 (24 hour dispatch)
#77 (cell phone)

Troopers assigned to Area Six are also responsible for Amelia and Chesterfield counties and the City of Colonial Heights. First Sgt. D. Wayne Holland supervises approximately 45 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Area Six State Police handle requests made of them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Troopers investigate motor vehicle crashes, work radar, patrol all primary and secondary highways, answer calls for assistance, give safety talks to the public and private school systems, and perform crime prevention assessments upon requests for residential and commercial establishments.

Area Six State Police provides the use of their canine (K-9), tact team, search teams and helicopters for the Sheriff's Department when requested. The Virginia State Police also has a med-flight program that serves the Richmond metropolitan area that includes Chesterfield, Powhatan and Amelia counties and Colonial Heights. Those with any requests for civic programs, crime prevention programs, drug abuse programs, or assistance in general, should contact their local state trooper or the Area Six office 24 hours a day.