Code of Virginia
Chapter 1 - Department of State Police
§ 52-8. Powers and duties to enforce criminal laws and investigate aircraft accidents

The Superintendent of State Police, his several assistants and police officers appointed by him are vested with the powers of a sheriff for the purpose of enforcing all the criminal laws of this Commonwealth and for investigating any aircraft accident which occurs in the Commonwealth, and it shall be the duty of the Superintendent, his several assistants and police officers appointed by him to use their best efforts to enforce the same.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving any sheriff or sergeant, commissioner of the revenue, police officer, or any other official now or hereafter invested with police powers and duties, state or local, from the duty of aiding and assisting in the enforcement of such laws within the scope of his authority and duty.
1932, p. 617; 1934, p. 277; Michie Code 1942, § 2154(53); 1944, p. 204; R. P. 1948, § 52-8; 1968, c. 737.

Structure Code of Virginia

Code of Virginia

Title 52 - Police (State)

Chapter 1 - Department of State Police

§ 52-1. Establishment of Department headed by Superintendent; Bureau of Criminal Investigation and division of drug law enforcement and investigation within Department

§ 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 Repealed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 Repealed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

§ 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