The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office gave me a tour of its facilities and a view of how each division creates one functioning department.
Captain Ray Davis gave this tour. He was very kind in explaining the job from the ground up to the higher levels of admin.
When you hear law enforcement, you might first think about the deputy in the police car working the street. However, dispatchers, which serve as law enforcement’s front line, can become so stressed that they are given access to a quiet room during their shifts. A lot of coordination between dispatchers and law enforcement officers goes into making sure people can get the help they need.
Some of the rooms were not accessible for this tour. However, each office within the building held teams of people separated by division. Each floor corresponded with different levels.
Deputies were stationed on the bottom floor, where they could quickly go out and respond, while the administration offices sat on the top floor. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has existed since at least 1634. However, one thing that is always changing around them is the community and the different types of personalities that they all have to interact with.
First responders have to stay flexible, but there are many easy ways to make their job easier, said Davis.
In order to be helpful to your 911 dispatcher or anyone who is coming to help you in case of an emergency, make sure to gather information such as location, type of emergency, and the total number of people involved, said Davis. Helping dispatchers and deputies in times of emergency or crisis speeds up the process.
Toward the end of the facility tour, Davis mentioned a website where important information for first responders could be stored. Visit smart911.com and see if adding information will help in a crisis.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is hiring 911 dispatchers called communications officers. The office produced a video to show the job, which has a $46,755 annual starting pay.
Recent Stories
Authorities in Prince William and Stafford counties responded to a range of serious incidents in recent days, including the armed robbery of a 14-year-old in a Woodbridge shopping center, multiple business burglaries, and domestic assaults involving weapons. In Stafford, deputies investigated a string of public intoxication cases, a DUI involving a teenager, and multiple thefts from an ABC store—all reported on the same day. Several suspects were arrested on outstanding warrants, and one individual turned himself in while intoxicated, claiming it made the process easier.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident that occurred this morning at Lee Hill Elementary School after a handgun discharged inside a 3rd-grade classroom.
The Dumfries Town Council approved its 2025 events calendar during its April 1 meeting, finalizing several changes to the town’s lineup of annual events.
Easter is almost here, and Manassas Park Community Center is making it extra special with three exciting Easter Egg Hunts for all ages.
The New Dominion Choraliers
Have a Show-Stopping Concert in Store!
Join us on Saturday, May 3 or Sunday, May 4 as the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert with fun and fabulous songs straight from your favorite Broadway shows and Big Screen musicals. Selections from Pixar, Disney, and Rodgers and Hammerstein offer familiar tunes across the generations, as well as selections from Wicked, Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, and more!
Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Cascade Landing Community Grand Opening
You’re invited to celebrate the Official Grand Opening of our newest community Cascade Landing in Dumfries, VA. Join us April 12th from 11 AM – 6 PM and fall for your new townhome!
Enjoy our grand opening celebration, complete with
