Department of State Police

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Chapter 1 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Department of State Police.” It is part of Title 52 “Police (State)”. It contains 35 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 35 sections.

§ 52-1	Establishment of Department headed by Superintendent; Bureau of Criminal Investigation and division of drug law enforcement and investigation within Department
§ 52-10	Fees and rewards
§ 52-11	Defense of police officers
§ 52-11.1	State Health Commissioner to cooperate
§ 52-11.2	Services of State Police in areas of counties that have merged, consolidated or been annexed into cities
§ 52-11.3	Acquisition of military property
§ 52-11.4	Disposal of unclaimed property in the possession of State Police; exemption from the Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act
§ 52-11.5	Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of the State Police
§ 52-11.6	Arrest or summons quota prohibited
§ 52-2	Appointment of Superintendent and term of office
§ 52-3	Oath, bond, and salary of Superintendent
§ 52-4	Functions of Department
§ 52-4.1	Repealed
§ 52-4.2	Department of Motor Vehicles to publish statistical information, and conduct research and experiments; copies to be furnished by Department to Commonwealth's attorneys
§ 52-4.3	Drug Investigation Special Trust Account
§ 52-4.4	Duties relating to criminal history record information checks required by licensed firearms dealers
§ 52-4.5	(Effective until July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; authorized uses; Department to establish a State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy; penalty
§ 52-5	Repealed
§ 52-6	Appointment of additional police officers
§ 52-6.1	Appointment of supervisory officers
§ 52-7	Bonds of police officers; liability insurance policies
§ 52-8	Powers and duties to enforce criminal laws and investigate aircraft accidents
§ 52-8.1	Powers and duties of Bureau of Criminal Investigation
§ 52-8.1:1	Powers and duties of a drug law enforcement and investigation division
§ 52-8.2	Certain investigations of elected officials; immunity for witnesses
§ 52-8.3	Disclosure of criminal investigative records and reports; penalty
§ 52-8.4	Powers and duties to promulgate regulations; inspection of certain records
§ 52-8.4:1	Regulations for firearms shows
§ 52-8.4:2	Certain offenses to be considered traffic infractions
§ 52-8.5	Reporting hate crimes
§ 52-8.6	Criminal street gang reporting
§ 52-9	Administration of oaths; acknowledgments and affidavits; summoning witnesses in certain cases
§ 52-9.1	Distinctive uniform to be adopted for State police officers
§ 52-9.1:1	Retired and former law-enforcement officers; retention of badge
§ 52-9.2	Wearing of same or similar uniforms by other persons