The Town of West Point was incorporated on July 19, 1870 and realizing a need for a police department they employed Mr. Hunsford Anderson as Sergeant of the Town on September 15, 1870. His duties were not restricted to law enforcement functions, but included town clerk, treasurer, and duties of a town manager. On January 3, 1871, the Mayor, John Whitbeck, appointed eight special policemen whose duty would entail assisting the Sergeant when called upon to preserve the peace and to arrest any violators. These officers were paid one dollar [$1.00] per incident whereby an arrest or other special duties were performed.The Mayor appointed two police officers on October 4, 1876, Officer David D. Harrison and Andrew Hicks. Nearly one hundred years later, on July 1, 1976, the Town of West Point decided to obtain law enforcement coverage from the King William Sheriff's Office. This contractual agreement continued for the next twenty-two years.

 
Officer H. Clayton Hylton, May, 1965 -Photo courtesty of Mrs. H. Clayton Hylton

The Town decided to end its utilization of the Sheriff's Office and establish their own Police Department and on August 15th 1998, the West Point Police Department was formed with six full time personnel, who include the Chief of Police, five police officers, and two civilian personnel.

The newly formed Police Department initiated its operational development through community oriented policing. The Chief of Police initiated a walking beat on Main Street, where the majority of the town's businesses are located. The program known as "Park, Walk, and Talk", which entailed officers parking their patrol vehicles and walking Main Street the major commercial district, entering businesses to check on daily activities, and form a relationship with owners and citizens alike. The relationship with business owners assisted the department in reducing criminal activities, by obtaining information of any illegal activities that could be dissolved prior to it becoming a major problem

The Chief of Police started a Marine Patrol to enhance water safety and a Bike Patrol Program. The Marine Patrol was designed to help stranded boaters and anyone in the community that needed assistance on the water. The former military boat was obtained through the government surplus process. The Bike Patrol was formed as another community police approach to take officers out of the patrol car and make them more approachable to citizens. Officers use the bikes during special functions, such as the towns yearly "Crab Carnival". This festival brings out the entire community for a celebration at the end of summer. The bike patrol helps officers maneuver through crowds where vehicles cannot be used and enables them to respond for assistance quicker than if they were on foot.

In 1999 the West Point School system met with the Chief of Police to discuss the ongoing problems nationwide with school violence. The department obtained a grant for a school resource officer who would work in the schools on a full time basis to form bonds with the youth of our community. The school resource officer interacts with the students, staff, and parents on a daily basis continuing the community police philosophy adopted by the West Point Police Department. Some programs implemented by the School Resource Officers are the D.A.R.E. program, The Buckle Up Challenge, The Prom Promise, and Fatal Vision Consequences Program.

The department utilized local news media to deliver the department's mission statement "Dedication to Public Safety". The department understood that survival could not be achieved without full community support.

Awards: The department strives to remain current in its involvement in programs designed to educate the public about safety, awareness, and it's law enforcement efforts in the community. The West Point Police Department participates in the law enforcement "Chiefs Challenge" the Smart, Safe and Sober Campaign, the America Buckles up Children Campaign, You Booze You Lose Campaign, Child Safety Seat Training, and the HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) Program. Our public education efforts paid off and the department was recognized with several awards.

The department has reached several of its original goals that the citizens of the Town of West Point originally had for their police department. The response times for calls for service have been reduced by fifty percent since the inception of the department. Through community police oriented programs we have built a relationship of trust and confidence in the law enforcement community we serve. Citizens and officers are working together to deter and solve crimes that occur in our community. The West Point Police Department presently consists of a Chief of Police, Captain (Assistant Chief), Sergeant, School Resource Officer, Five Patrol officers, and one investigator. The Chief of Police frequently publishes articles with the local news media to inform citizens of our education, public safety, and enforcement efforts. The technological advancement has been achieved through grants and personal expertise of its members. The department has installed high speed internet connectivity and obtained grant supported Regional Data Sharing with King William County, New Kent County, and King & Queen County Sheriff departments. The department has equipped the officers with grant funded radar systems, in-car video cameras, spike tire deflation strips, two patrol bicycles, speed trailer, and a Stealth Stat speed/traffic analysis unit.
The department has received recognition for their efforts in the reduction of intoxicated operators through the M.A.D.D. award. These statistical data shows that D.U.I. related crashes have reduced from 31 in 1999 to no more than two in 2004 and 2005.
Our department will continue its "DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY" and strive for excellence in its community policing efforts.

Town of West Point Box 152 or 329 Sixth Street West Point, Virginia 23181 Phone:804-843-3330 FAX: 804-843-4364