Virginia Criminal Justice Services Board
DCJS Board
Summary
The Criminal Justice Services Board, administered through DCJS, is Virginia's POST equivalent. It certifies and decertifies all sworn law-enforcement and jail officers statewide. Under 2020 reforms (expanded by SB 88 in 2024), mandatory decertification triggers upon felony conviction or qualifying misdemeanor; officers may request administrative review. The 32-member Board includes gubernatorial appointees (with required community, victim-advocacy, and social-justice seats), legislative members, and ex-officio law-enforcement officials. The Board sets statewide conduct standards and directs DCJS to investigate decertification referrals from agency heads and prosecutors.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | Executive review |
Statute
- Name
- Code of Virginia Title 9.1, Chapter 1
- Citation
- Va. Code §§9.1-102, 9.1-108, 15.2-1706, 15.2-1707, 15.2-1708
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All sworn law-enforcement and jail officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia