By Joanna Putman
Police1
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — The Henrico County Police Division has announced changes to how it will respond to calls in order to cut call volume and send officers only to scenes where they have legal authority to act, WRIC reported.
“In the past, our patrol officers have routinely been put in positions, or responded to calls for service, where they have no legal authority,” Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English announced in a YouTube video.
English explained that the phenomenon has prevented officers from responding to other priority calls. He said that each call will be handled on a call-by-call basis, according to the report. He expects the changes to reduce the call volume.
Patrol officers will no longer respond to abandoned vehicles, recovered bicycles, juvenile problems without a nexus to crime, personal marijuana use inside a residence, medical emergencies where no crime is in progress or shoplifting without evidence, according to the report. In most cases, officers will not deal with animal control issues and won’t respond to issues regarding panhandling or noise complaints.
“We assure you that we are still here supporting the community every day,” English said.