Accreditation & Inspections

The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) routinely receives perfect scores on its major audits and inspections. These evaluations are conducted by independent auditors and inspectors from state and federal agencies, who critique nearly every aspect of operations. The perfect results underscore the culture of excellence that pervades every aspect of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office. They are also a direct result of the daily hard work of the deputies and civilians who serve the office and the citizens of Virginia Beach and ensure the VBSO is always inspection-ready.

VLEPSC Accreditation

The Sheriff’s Office is a state-accredited agency with the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). Accreditation is a four-year certification and is an ongoing process whereby policies and procedures are evaluated against established criteria, otherwise known as standards.

During the re-certification process, the Sheriff’s Office is reassessed for compliance with the VLEPSC Program Manual Standards. Compliance is verified by an independent and authoritative body through on-site staff interviews, observation and an in-depth review of agency files. The file review involves 190 standards divided into four general subject areas: Administration, Operations, Personnel and Training. Each file contains four years of documentation with a cumulative total of approximately 3,000 pieces of compliance documentation.

The on-site assessment team conducts its assessment and presents its findings to the VLEPSC Commission, which votes on the official Award of Accreditation.

The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office has been fully reaccredited six times, receiving its most recent award in December 2025.

PREA Accreditation

The Sheriff’s Office has been fully compliant with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) since 2016. A U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) certified auditor conducted the VBSO's first audit on Aug. 2-4, 2017, for continued compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Adult Prison and Jail Standards.

The PREA Audit consisted of, at a minimum, a sampling of relevant documents and other records and information for the most recent one-year period. The audit also included a review of all relevant agency-wide policies, procedures, reports, internal and external audits, and accreditations. In addition, the auditor observed all areas of the facility and conducted interviews with deputy and civilian staff members throughout the rank and file, contractors, volunteers, and a representative sampling of inmates.

The Sheriff’s Office earned a 100% compliance rating and was certified as a compliant agency for the program’s second audit cycle. PREA is a three-year certification. The VBSO also completed successful PREA audits for all subsequent audit cycles (listed below).

Click here for more information about the VBSO’s compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act .

NCCHC Accreditation

The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office is also fully accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, having completed its most recent review in April 2025 and receiving re-accreditation in September 2025.

Additional Audits, Inspections and Accreditations:

  • Unconditional Certification with no discrepancies - Department of Corrections three-year audit (114 standards) – 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025
  • Fully compliant -100% score -Virginia Department of Corrections Life, Health and Safety inspection (41 standards) -2014, 2015 and 2017 annual
  • 100% compliance - Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audit (43 standards) - 2016, 2017, and2020 and 2022
  • 100% compliance - U.S. Marshals Service facility inspection – 2016, and 2017, 2021 and 2025
  • Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified - March 2016-present
  • Fully accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition - 2005-present
  • 100% compliance - Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission Accreditation four-year re-accreditation assessment (190 standards and 747 proofs of compliance) - October 2013 and October 2017
  • 100% compliance score - Department of Criminal Justice Services Training Academy re-certification – 2015 and 2018
  • Fully accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care - July 2020 and September 2025
  • 100% score - Local Inmate Data Systems (LIDS) annual audit - 2015-2025
  • Fully certified – Virginia Criminal Information Network – 2021 and 2024

Accreditation is a function of the VBSO's Professional Standards Office. Questions and concerns may be directed to pso@vbso.net .