Investigations and Community Relations

The Investigations and Community Relations Division is a collaboration of multiple units, including Criminal Investigations and School Resources. The Division is supported by multiple supervisors and detectives, providing 24/7 coverage to the City of Falls Church. 

Criminal Investigations Unit

The Criminal Investigations Unit's (CIU) responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Investigating crimes, recovering, identifying, and arranging the return of stolen property.
  • Interviewing suspects and witnesses.
  • Processing major crime scenes, collecting evidence, and taking photographs. 
  • Presenting investigations to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for review and/or prosecution.

CIU also conducts background investigations on certain businesses - such as massage establishments, pawnbrokers, and precious metal dealers - for permitting and licensure purposes.

School Resource Officers

School Resource Officers (SRO) are the liaisons between the Falls Church Police Department and Falls Church City Public Schools. SROs are typically responsible for Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention on one or more school campuses. SROs also provide student, staff, and parent education on such topics as Drugs and Alcohol, Driver Safety, Internet Safety, Gangs, Crime Prevention, and ALICE training, in addition to coordinating security for over 50 after-school activities and special events each year. In the 2022-2023 school year, there are two SROs serving Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and Meridian High School (formerly George Mason High School).