Back in the Day

The Sheriff of Nansemond County was in charge of policing Suffolk, as well as Nansemond County, until 1858. In 1858, Suffolk was granted a charter and the first town sergeant was elected. After 1910, the town sergeant would be called Chief of Police. The sheriff would still be in charge of Nansemond County law enforcement until October 1970, when the Nansemond County Police Department was founded. The City of Suffolk Police Department and the Nansemond County Police Department merged in January 1974. The sheriff and the town sergeant were both elected officers.