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VOL. 10, NO. 28
Community-Supported News. Free to all.
MAY 22, 2025
Sheriff Eyes Elementary SROs, More Drones in Strategic Plan BY PATRICK LEWIS
The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office on Monday released its first-ever public strategic plan. The document summarizes the department’s structure and activities and lays out goals and objectives for the next several years. The plan offers an overview of the agency’s organizational structure and mission. It is the largest full-service sheriff ’s office in the commonwealth, with approximately 700 sworn and 200 civilian members. “This plan is a promise to the people of Loudoun County,” Sheriff Mike Chapman stated in a Monday announcement. “It is a roadmap for building a safer future, with transparency and accountability at its core.” The document includes a plethora of goals and objectives for the department, shining a light on plans for internal expansion and reorganization. One planning priority slated to begin in 2026 and continue through 2029-2030 is a proposed expansion of the School Resource Officer Unit to provide coverage in elementary schools. Expansion of SROs to elementary schools was recommended in April 2024 by a Blue Ribbon Panel SHERIFF'S STRATEGIC PLAN continues on page 37
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue firefighters practice water rescues at Beaverdam Reservoir May 20.
Fire and Rescue, Sheriff’s Office Partner for Water Rescue Training BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System and Sheriff ’s Office on Tuesday morning put their water rescue skills to the test in a training exercise on Beaverdam Reservoir.
The training simulated a three-person incident at the reservoir with fire and rescue personnel working to save two of the individuals. A third person in the exercise was deemed to have drowned and the Sheriff ’s Office dive team launched a recovery mission to find the hypothetical body.
On the command side, fire and rescue leadership partnered with the Sheriff ’s Office to set up a command post at the reservoir’s shoreline near Alford Road. There the two agencies collaborated to achieve WATER RESCUE TRAINING continues on page 38
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