Operations

Lt. Roldan serves as the operations commander and oversees the division’s fleet, patrol, animal control, school resource officer program, and is the City’s emergency management coordinator. Lt. Roldan has served in patrol as an officer and supervisor and was assigned as the criminal investigator for four years. In 2018, Lt. Roldan was promoted to his current position.

Patrol

Patrol Section is divided into four, 12 hour shifts with Officers assigned to one of two districts within the city of Covington. The division is responsible for patrolling the streets of Covington, responding to all 911 calls for service and enforcing criminal and traffic law within the city. Patrol responds to an average of 8,000 calls annually. Patrol investigate misdemeanor and certain felony crimes. All incident reports from calls for service are forwarded to Operations Commander and Investigator and are sent to the Virginia State Police for statistics.

Animal Control

Covington Division of Police is responsible for animal control within the city limits of Covington. The Covington Division of Police takes a collaborative approach to addressing animal complaints. While the animal control law enforcement officer’s primary role is to handle all calls for service concerning domesticated animals. Patrol can handle some basic animal control duties. The ACO receives training through the department and the Cardinal Criminal Justice Training Academy and departmental Field Training Officer's. The ACO has several other additional duties assigned to him such as traffic enforcement, directed patrols and parking enforcement in the downtown area.

The ACO works a varied schedule based on call volume Monday through Friday and can be reached by calling 540-965-6333. During working hours, the ACO handles anywhere 1,000 animal complaints annually. The ACO main role is to address domesticated animals, but can be called upon for dangerous wild animals that pose an immediate threat.

All domesticated animals captured by the ACO are taken to the Alleghany Humane Society and are held at the shelter for 10 days. If not identified by the owner, the animal is then placed up for adoption to the public. The shelter can be reached at (540) 862-2436.

The main purpose for animal control is to ensure that citizens are safe from animals, domestic and wild, and that animals are safe and properly cared for.

The City of Covington does have a leash law that requires that dogs must be restrained from running at large in public areas.

School Resource

The City has two (2) Alleghany Highlands Public Schools within the City limits. Covington Middle School and Jeter Watson Elementary School. The Police Division provides School Resource Officers for each school and work only during the school year. They are responsible for all minor criminal investigation, and traffic that take place in and around their assigned school.