Frequently Asked Questions

For emergencies, call 911.

For non-emergencies, call 804-748-1251. You can file a police report online. You may also visit police headquarters on Iron Bridge Road or one of our district stations when a service desk officer is on duty. A service desk officer is on duty at police headquarters 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service desk officers are on duty at the district stations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. If you wish to make a report over the phone, call 804-748-1269.

To make a speeding or traffic safety complaint, call the Chesterfield County Police Department's Traffic Hotline at 804-318-8084 or email the Police Department.

Yes. To request a check of your residence while you are away, call 804-748-1269 or 804-748-1258.

You may request a check of your Chesterfield County criminal history record by appearing in person at Records Customer Service during regular business hours.

• You must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid photo ID.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you should contact the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Service Section at 804-748-1379.
• If a state record check is needed, contact Virginia State Police at 804-674-2000.

For more information, including fees, visit our Police Records page.

The police department's Records Section will provide limited fingerprinting services under certain circumstances. The Records Unit is normally open for fingerprinting from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you need to be fingerprinted, please arrive by 3:45 p.m. You must have two valid forms of identification, and at least one of the two must include a photo. For more information, visit our Police Records page.

Visit our Police Records page for more information about available records and fees.

The Chesterfield County Police Department offers a variety of options for businesses and organizations seeking to hire off-duty officers for one-time events or continuous assignments. For more information, visit our Hire an Off-Duty Officer page, email our off-duty employment coordinator or call them at 804-717-6162.

Yes, the Police department offers a ride-along program for county residents. Residents who would like to participate in a ride along must be 18 years of age, submit a written application and agree to submit to a criminal history check. Applications are available at headquarters and every district station. For more information, email our off-duty employment coordinator or call them at 804-717-6162.

Yes, the police department's Neighborhood Watch program was established in 1976. For more information on our Neighborhood Watch program, visit our Neighborhood Watch page.

The Chesterfield County Police Department offers a variety of career opportunities, both sworn and civilian. To view job listings or learn how to apply, visit Chesterfield County’s employment opportunities listing. For more information on careers with the police department, visit Police Hiring.

You must appear in person before a Magistrate. The Magistrate's Office adjoins the Chesterfield County Jail, which is located at:
6900 Mimms Drive
Chesterfield, VA 23832

If you are in danger or need immediate assistance, call 911. For non-emergencies, call the police at 804-748-1251. You can also call the Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-838-8238. Visit the Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center website or contact the police department’s domestic violence coordinator Tana Mooney by emailing her or by calling 804-318-8110 for more information.

If you have given money or prepaid cards to anyone who contacted you over the internet or by phone and you think it is a scam, report it to our police department by calling 804-748-1269. If you have been contacted by someone over the internet and you did not give them money, but you would still like to report it, you can file a report at FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website. If you were contacted by phone but did not send any money, you can report that at the Federal Trade Commission website. You can also visit our Fraud-Related Resources page for more information. 

The Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles applications for concealed handgun permits.

Members of the police department are available to speak to community groups on a variety of topics. To invite a representative of the police department to attend or speak at your meeting, contact the Community Services Division by calling 804-318-8699 at least 30 days before your event.

You must be 21 years old at the time you complete the field training program. Seventy years is the maximum age for policing as set forth in the Code of Virginia 51.1-205.

Processing for the LawFit Work Performance test starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Testing is held at:

Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center
6610 Public Safety Way
Chesterfield, VA 23832

You must bring your completed background packet and a government issued photo ID.

We start promptly at 8:30 a.m. and work to get everyone through in a timely manner. 

Yes. 

If you complete the LawFit Work Performance test but receive a failing score you will not proceed in the hiring process until you retake and pass the LawFit Work Performance test.

If you are unable to complete the LawFit Work Performance test due to injury, illness, etc., you must email the Police Personnel Division and reschedule your test.

If you need to change your test date, we will work to accommodate your needs. Please email the Police Personnel Division to reschedule your test date, or if you decide to withdraw from the hiring process.

We value our employees and applicants who are veterans and we will work with you as best we can. The entire hiring process can take several months to complete; therefore, starting at least six months before you get out would be a good idea. Please call one of our recruiters at 804-796-7169 or our office at 804-748-1547 if you need any further assistance.

We do not cover hotel expenses for out-of-state applicants in the initial phases of the hiring process. Should you proceed to the later stages, we will provide assistance with hotel expenses in some cases.

Yes, as part of the background process we need you to speak to your neighbors. Look at it as an opportunity to say "Hi" and get to know them. If there are special circumstances, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you.

List as many as you can with as much information as possible. It could be that you only know the city and state. If so, please list that.

State law (Code of Virginia 15.2-1705) prohibits the hiring of a convicted felon as a police officer. Misdemeanor convictions (except those involving moral turpitude, including petite larceny, misdemeanor sex offenses, or domestic assault) are examined on a case-by-case basis. It will not automatically exclude you from consideration.

A candidate's history is considered as a part of the background process. A possession conviction would be evaluated based on history and circumstances.

Driving histories are part of an individual's background. Many things are taken into consideration during the hiring process and a decision will be made based on the entirety of that process.

Interviews are scheduled after testing and pre-screening of the background packets. It could take a few weeks before you are called.

Delays may result from incomplete or inaccurate background packets being submitted. Please make sure your packet is filled out accurately and completely. Willful omissions will result in disqualification.

We do not disclose the reasons for a candidate’s removal from the process. If you wish to reapply, you must wait at least 12 months from the date of your letter. Once your application is received, it will be reviewed to determine if you are eligible to test.

The animal shelter has a large variety of dogs and cats available for adoption. Please visit the Adopt a Pet section for detailed information about the adoption process.

Any dog 4 months of age or older must have a license.

To obtain a dog license, you must:

• Pay the $10 license tax
• Provide a certificate of current rabies vaccination

Chesterfield County now offers a lifetime dog license for $10. The license will remain valid as long as the dog's rabies vaccination is kept up to date.

Kennel licenses are available for those residing in an agricultural district who own more than 3 dogs. Kennel licenses are still issued annually. The license tax is payable on January 1 and must be paid no later than January 31 of each year.

The fees are as follows:

• Kennel – up to 20 dogs: $25
• Kennel – up to 50 dogs: $35

You can obtain a dog license at several county businesses, or by mail.

To obtain a dog license by mail:

• Print and complete a Dog License Application (PDF). View a Sample Form (DOC).
• Include the completed license application, a copy of the rabies certificate, proof that the dog has been spayed/neutered (if applicable) and check or money order payable to Treasurer, Chesterfield County.
• Mail to:
  Treasurer’s Office
  P.O. Box 70
  Chesterfield, Virginia 23832
  Attention: Dog Licenses

If your dog or cat is lost:

• Submit a Lost Pet Report.
• Visit the shelter to look for your pet and review the lost and found pets book at the front desk.
• Post signs in your area in the event someone has found your pet.

If you find a dog or cat:

• Submit a Found Pet Report.
• Visit the shelter to review the lost and found pets book at the front desk.
• Post signs in your area in the event someone near you may be looking for their pet.

Please call the 804-748-1251, the police non-emergency number, if you need to speak with an Animal Services officer about:

• Animal neglect or cruelty
• Dogs running at large
• Stray dog that has been found
• Any other non-emergency Animal Services issue

If you wish to speak with a shelter representative, please call 804-748-1683 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General email inquiries can be directed to the Animal Control Inquiries Email.

Animal Services does not handle calls for service related to barking dogs. Please call the police non-emergency number, 804-748-1251, to speak to a police officer.

Ownership of more than three adult dogs per family is prohibited in any residential district without a special exception permit. If you need a special permit, contact the Chesterfield County Zoning Office at 804-748-1050.

Under Chesterfield County's current leash law, a dog shall be deemed to run at large while roaming or running off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. 

Looking for something fun to do with your furry friend in Chesterfield County? Many restaurants, stores and local shops welcome dogs, allowing you to spend even more quality time with your furriest of friends. Visit our blog post about Woof and Wag in Chesterfield County to learn more.