Sheriff Stolle appoints VBSO's first Community Outreach captain

Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle today announced the appointment of Capt. Rick Norris as the office’s first captain of Community Outreach.

The new position oversees the Sheriff’s Office’s extensive community involvement efforts, including its senior initiatives, Recruitment Team and Honor Guard.

“The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office has always been committed to serving and engaging with our community,” said Sheriff Stolle. “Creating a Community Outreach command unifies and strengthens those efforts. It also demonstrates our dedication to community involvement.”

Capt. Norris is a native of Kannapolis, N.C., and has served the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office for 21 years. He has worked in Corrections, Court Security, Intake and the Professional Standards Office and was a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) deputy and supervisor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Saint Leo University and is Crisis Intervention Team certified. He is a member of the VBSO’s Peer Support Team and Recruitment Team, a Defensive Driving instructor and a General Instructor, often teaching ethics and diversity to the VBSO’s Basic Academy classes. He is the office’s Human Rights Commission liaison.

Capt. Norris is also heavily involved in the community, volunteering for Special Olympics Virginia, the Mayflower Marathon for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, the Cops & Kids Christmas charity, the Seniors Prom at Marian Manor and more. He is a member of the American Legion Attucks Post 5 and, with his wife, has served as a therapeutic foster parent for more than 20 years.

Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Norris served 10 years as an auxiliary police officer, 13 years with the U.S. Navy (four years of active duty service and 9 years with the Navy Reserve) and worked for Cox Communications Inc.

“To be effective as law enforcement officers, we must know our community and actively engage with our citizens,” said Capt. Norris. “I’m honored to serve as the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office first captain of Community Outreach and I look forward to leveraging this position to enhance our relationship with our community, improve our understanding of one another and expand our existing outreach efforts.”

Chief Deputy of Administration Rocky Holcomb oversees the new command.

“Public safety is our first priority here at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, but it’s a two-way street,” said Chief Deputy Holcomb. “Without the public’s help and support, we cannot effectively execute our mission. This new position, with Capt. Norris at the helm, will ensure we maintain and strengthen our connection with those we serve.”

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact: Kathy Hieatt, Public Information Officer: 757.385.8446.