A Message From Chief Mark Solesky

Community can be defined as a group of people sharing common beliefs, interests, and goals. Although a community is made up of different people with different interests, experiences, and backgrounds they are bound together by their shared values. 

That sense of community is what makes the City of Chesapeake such a special place. Our citizens value fresh open spaces, friendly neighbors, good schools, and the quality of life that is apparent in so many neighborhoods around the city.

Here on the Chesapeake Police Department, everything we do is viewed through the lens of “community first.” It certainly makes sense in that the community is the very purpose of our existence. Our mission is to serve the citizens of Chesapeake, and to do that, and do it well, the basis of all our actions must be “community first.” 

This comes easy for us not only because we see ourselves as part of the community, we are part of the community! 

Many of our police department members are your next-door neighbors, your friends, fellow church members, and your children’s coaches at sporting events.

We work hard to make our citizens feel that we are part of their communities. Our department is always looking to engage with citizens in non-enforcement settings. The dedicated men and women of the Chesapeake Police Department, both sworn and non-sworn, strive to provide quality law enforcement services to the many unique and diverse neighborhoods throughout the city. We have fostered relationships that we truly value with many individuals, neighborhood groups, business groups, and church groups. 

It is very important to us that our citizens know we are here to enforce the law with the community, not on the community. If you see a Chesapeake Police Officer in your neighborhood, please do not hesitate to approach them if you have a question they may be able to answer, or if you would just like to say hello. By continuing to work together we will keep Chesapeake the finest city in Virginia in which to live, learn, work, farm, and play!

Join the Chesapeake Police Department

Now Hiring Officer Trainees & VA DCJS Certified Officers ("Lateral Transfers"). Apply online now!

Do you have what it takes? Join the Chesapeake Police Department today! SEE MORE >>  

Cold Case Homicides
Information & Videos on Cold Cases

Help solve homicides in the City of Chesapeake. Read More »

CUSTODY - Home & Business Camera Program

The City of Chesapeake, in partnering with the community, has started the CUSTODY program, in which citizens can voluntarily share information regarding any cameras located on their business or residence. This information is then mapped and used to help prevent crimes from occurring as well as providing potential evidence for active cases. Click here to share your camera location or find out more >> 

Customer Satisfaction Survey - Click here to start the survey or find out more >>

Under Virginia Code 52-30.2, the Chesapeake Police Department collects and reports information about its operations as required by law under the Community Policing Act. The data from the City of Chesapeake and other Virginia jurisdictions, as well as information about what is reported, is collected by the Virginia State Police and can be accessed from this link: Community Policing Act Data Collection Portal 

2021 CPD Use of Force & Complaints Infographic

This infographic provides the basic statistics and an overall representation of the Chesapeake Police Department's Use of Force and Complaints for the calendar year of 2021. View/Download Here »

The 8 Can't Wait Initiative

In a national initiative, legal and academic experts have identified eight key areas necessary for the reduction of police use of force. The Chesapeake Police Department’s training, policies, practices, and procedures meet each of these eight requirements. Please view or download our flyer on this important topic. View/Download Here »

2021 Chesapeake Police Department's Annual Report
To view or download our 2021 Annual Report, please use this link: View/Download Here »

Ethics & Conduct Summary:

The Chesapeake Police Department's Ethics & Conduct statistical report on inquiries, complaints and compliments are available as a PDF at this link: 2018-2019 Ethics and Conduct statistics.pdf 

“Be Smart & Be Safe” When Purchasing from Online Classifieds

Inviting a stranger or a person who is not well known into your home, or going to a stranger’s home, potentially creates an unsafe situation with possible harmful results. “Be Smart & Be Safe” by conducting these transactions in a public place. It could reduce the chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Citizens are welcome to utilize any of the six police precincts within the City of Chesapeake to conduct these transactions either in the parking lot or precinct lobby (where available). Read More »

PHOTOSafe - a red light traffic enforcement program

RED Means Stop! Chesapeake's red light photo enforcement program is titled PHOTOSafe. Our city's goal is to simply gain compliance with traffic signals which will significantly contribute to public safety in Chesapeake. The camera systems are a force multiplier for the uniformed police officer and they reduce the risks involved in the red light violation enforcement of large intersections. Click Here to Find out more >>

Understanding and Filing a Complaint or Compliment

"Please know that I am interested in your comments. It is the policy of the Chesapeake Police Department to recognize the excellent performance of our employees through Department, City or locally sponsored awards. However, should you feel your contact with any of our employees was less than satisfactory, I also want to hear from you. Anyone can submit comments regarding the quality of our service. This pamphlet describes the process and procedures involved. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the Ethics & Conduct Unit at the number listed on the front of this pamphlet. Your information will remain confidential."

- Colonel M. G. Solesky, Chief of Police

Download a Pamphlet on Understanding and Filing a Complaint or Compliment

Chesapeake Police Department's
Mission Statement:

"In Partnership With the Community, Promote a Safe City Through Prevention of Crime and Enforcement of Laws"

and our Core Values:

• Community Service – "Through a partnership with the people and businesses in our community, we are committed to enhancing public safety, reducing the fear of crime, solving community problems that affect public safety, and realizing that we are part of the community."
• Integrity – "We are committed to adherence to high moral and ethical principles and character, honesty, doing what is legally and morally right, and setting the example."
• Professionalism – "As a Department, we strive to maintain a clear sense of commitment, perspective and direction through compliance to policies, standards of conduct and behavior, knowledge of duties, and continual self-improvement."
• Respect – "It is the fundamental duty of each member of the Department to demonstrate empathy, compassion, concern and courtesy for victims of crime and to treat all members of the community, to include those who violate the law, with fairness and tactfulness."

We are an Internationally Accredited Agency

The Chesapeake Police Department began the CALEA accreditation process in 2011 and received our initial accreditation in 2014. Since then, we have maintained our accreditation status with continuing reviews, evaluations and assessments from CALEA. 

The CALEA Accreditation program provides public safety agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they have met an established set of professional standards based on industry best practices and approved by an all-volunteer board of commissioners.   

More information about CALEA Accreditation is available at: www.calea.org