Much of the credit for its establishment goes to the man who was then Fairfax County Sheriff, Eppa Kirby, a colorful character who never carried a gun.

With far-reaching insight into what would eventually become one of the department's main areas of concern, Chief McIntosh appointed the fifth officer, John A. Millan as traffic sergeant on motorcycle patrol.

Millan resigned shortly thereafter to accept a position as a revenue enforcement agent with the US Treasury Department's Prohibition Bureau.

It provided aeromedical transportation, traffic reporting and airborne law enforcement capabilities to the growing metropolitan area.

Modern design characteristics of the Bell 429 allow adaptation to future missions needs, reduced/simplified maintenance, as well as improved longevity/service lifetime.

Some of the highlights of the Bell 429 are twin engine redundancy, military grade sensors, night vision goggle technology and a lower noise signature which allow for safe and neighborly helicopter operations.

The department is studying the impacts of the proposed redevelopment of Tysons Corner, and other projects throughout the county that will result in more transit-oriented land use patterns.

The Patrol Bureau is developing mechanisms for predicting the level of staffing that may be required in the future to meet these challenges while maintaining service quality.

Fairfax County Police are also utilizing a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E as an electric vehicle concept, at this time there are only a few on patrol.

Franconia District crime prevention officers met with SALT council members on a monthly basis to discuss safety and emergency preparedness.

Taking advantage of the social networking phenomena, information was posted on Fairfax County's Facebook and Twitter accounts, which are monitored and maintained by the Office of Public Affairs.

Selection criteria include prior experience, professional image, uniform appearance, personal grooming standards, motivation, stature/bearing, interest in Honor Guard activities, and positive attitude.

Young people between the ages of 14 and 21, male and female, with an interest in possible law enforcement careers fill the ranks of the Public Safety Cadet unit 1742, 2252, and 505.

In addition to service, the Public Safety Cadets learn and compete in events testing some of the basic skills involved in a wide range of police assignments.

Increased gang activity across the region prompted growth in the number of Road DAWG camps in the county from one to three (at Mount Vernon, Reston and West Springfield Districts).

The camp program was created to build healthy decision-making skills; help youths resist the draw of gangs and show them a fun and friendly side of police officers.

Members of Hispanic communities in the Franconia District and police officers came together to produce a series of soccer tournaments for kids between the ages of 7 and 16.

[19][20] While on a training run near Front Royal, Virginia, 51-year-old Captain Tommy F. Bernal was fatally injured on June 28, 2001, when his motorcycle was struck by a Ford Explorer that had swerved to avoid hitting another rider in the group.

[22] MPO Garbarino, who had been shot five times in Kennedy's attack, died at Inova Fairfax Hospital early on the morning of May 17, 2006.

[25] On August 29, 2013, John Geer was shot to death by Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres, after a 40-minute standoff.

Geer was unarmed, but a gun was reportedly on the ground away from his body, as he stood inside the doorway of his Springfield, Virginia house.

[28] Several high profile and controversial officer-involved shootings, including the death of Geer, and one automobile accident where citizens were killed by Fairfax County police officers have led to calls for an independent review board to be appointed.

[29] On March 3, 2015, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established an ad hoc commission to review the police department's policies, practices, and programs regarding police-community relations, police-involved incidents, and public release of information.