AUGUST
VA DIRECTIVE 0730
SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
1. PURPOSE
a. This directive implements the provisions of Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 9 pertaining to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nationwide Security and Law Enforcement program. It
encompasses the maintenance of law and order and the protection of persons and property on
Department property. It provides policies applicable to the management and administration of this
program from VA Central Office and within VA facilities nationwide located on Department
property. Detailed physical security and law enforcement program requirements and procedures are
contained in VA Handbook 0730, Security and Law Enforcement.
b. This directive is set forth solely for the purpose of internal departmental guidance. It is not
intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any rights, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law by any party in any matter, civil or criminal, and does not place any limitations on
otherwise lawful activities of the Department.
2. POLICY
a. Police and Security Unit Organization and Staffing
(1) Within a VA field facility, police resources are organizationally placed and structured in
such a manner as to ensure appropriate monitoring of law enforcement activities. The
organizational title of each unit will include the words "Police and Security." A Police and
Security unit is supervised from the office of the VA field facility head and will not be a
subordinate part of any other organizational unit.
(2) Each Police and Security unit must be supervised by a qualified law enforcement
professional or a supervisory police officer. This supervision encompasses full technical
responsibility for conducting law enforcement and physical security operations as described in this
directive and VA Handbook 0730.
(3) Each VA field facility or division will have a sufficient number of VA police officers on
duty, at all times, necessary to maintain law and order and to concurrently provide protection of
persons and property throughout the facility. At no time will a VA field facility or division be left
without VA police officer coverage, to include provisions for appropriate and timely backup.
Factors for determining the level of police staffing are contained in VA Handbook 0730.
(4) All police personnel will be assigned duties and responsibilities consistent with the
organizational responsibilities for the maintenance of law and order and protection of persons and
property on Department property. Police personnel will not be assigned duties and responsibilities
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