Providing public safety

for all who live, work, and

play in Culpeper.

Our History

The Culpeper Police Department was established in 1956, with Roy F. Jamison as its first Chief of Police. The department initially consisted of a sergeant and constables, serving a small town with only one stoplight. Over the years, the department has grown and evolved to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding community.

Today, the Culpeper Police Department is a modern, internationally accredited law enforcement agency serving a diverse population of over 20,000 residents. With a staff of over 50 sworn officers and civilian personnel, the department is committed to providing exceptional service, building trust, and ensuring public safety. The department remains true to its core values of courtesy, duty, integrity, compassion, and courage.

  • Since 1956 the Police Department has had six more Chiefs of Police. The second Chief of Police, Charles B. Jones, took over management of the Police Department on January 1, 1980 and served in that capacity until his retirement on December 31, 2000. Lt. Chris Jenkins served as interim Chief until the Culpeper Town Council hired Daniel V. Boring on March 5, 2001. Chief Boring served as Chief of Police until December 31, 2006. Once again Captain Chris Jenkins served as interim Chief until Chief Scott H. Barlow took over the duties as Police Chief May 14, 2007 until June 1, 2010. Captain Chris Jenkins was appointed interim Chief until his appointment to Chief of Police in September 2010. Chief Jenkins retired December 2022 and Major Chris Settle was appointed Acting Chief of Police in January 2023. In February 2023, Major Settle was appointed as the new Chief of Police.

    In the years since 1956, the town has grown to cover 7.3 square miles with a population of over 20,000 people. The Culpeper Police Department now employs over 50 sworn and civilian staff members.

    The Culpeper Police Department is internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA). The Department was first accredited by CALEA in 2005 and then again in 2008. They received Advance Accreditation in 2011, 2014, and 2017. In 2021 and 2024, the department received Advance Accreditation with Meritorious Achievement. The Department is currently in the process of obtaining their next Advance Accreditation.

Divisions

  • The Chief of Police

    The Chief of Police, Chief Chris Settle, is the commanding officer of the Department and provides efficient and effective police services to the residents and visitors of the Town of Culpeper. The Chief also oversees the agency’s the Support Division and the Body-Worn Camera Program.

  • Operations Division

    The Operations Division includes the Patrol Platoons and the Co-Response program. The Co-Responder program is a collaborative approach by Culpeper Police Department and Encompass Community Supports (formerly Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services) to have a trained mental health professional respond alongside law enforcement to emergency calls involving mental health issues.

  • Patrol Operations

    Patrol officers are typically the first response to any type of police call for service and are prepared to respond to any emergency. This division includes two dual purpose K-9 teams, certified in tracking and narcotics detection, and one single purpose K-9 certified in narcotic detection.

  • Support Division

    The entire Support Division encompasses Community Policing, Criminal Investigations, and Administrative Services.

  • Community Policing Operations

    This unit is responsible for targeted traffic enforcement, crime prevention education, recruitment, parking enforcement, and special events among other duties. This includes Public Information and the seasonal park attendants.

  • Criminal Investigations Division

    This division investigates major criminal offenses such as burglaries, identity-fraud, vehicle theft, rapes, sexual assaults, robbery, homicide, aggravated assaults, and threats. They also investigate crime trends such as vehicle tamperings or larcenies from vehicles.

  • Street Crimes Unit

    This unit handles narcotic investigations, wanted person apprehension, and quality of life crimes such as prostitution. They work in cooperation with the Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force.

  • Administrative Services

    Administrative Services includes Police Administration and Records Center. They provide support services to the Chief, Operations Division, and Investigations Division. This division also includes the Training Coordinator, Digital Forensic Specialist, and Property and Evidence/Quartermaster.

Command Staff

  • Chief Christ Settle began his law enforcement career when he joined the Culpeper Police Department as a police officer. A life-long resident of Culpeper, he graduate from Culpeper County High School in 1992 then obtained his Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Radford University in 1997. Chief Settle has complete post-graduate programs through the Virginia Chiefs of Police Foundation, to include the Institute on Leadership in Changing Times at Virginia Tech University, and the Professional Executive Leadership School at University of Richmond’s school of Business. Chief Settle attended the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy in 2003 in Richmond, Virginia. In 2023, he earned his Master of Public Safety through the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

    During his career at Culpeper Police Department, Chief Settle has worked in various roles and capacities. After serving as a sergeant, lieutenant, and Captain, in 2015 he obtained the rank of Deputy Chief/Major. When Chief Chris Jenkins retired, Chief Settle was appointed as the Acting Chief in January 2023 and then in February 2023 he was formally appointed Chief of Police.

    Chief Settle served as an assistant to the agency’s Accreditation Manager from 2005-2011 and now serves as the agency’s Accreditation Manager. He oversaw the agency’s reaccreditation in 2014, 2017, and 2021. Chief Settle also serves as a CALEA Assessor and Team Leader since 2008, assessing other professional law enforcement agencies across the country.

  • Major Nick White began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Virginia State Police. He has also served with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office, and briefly with the Culpeper Police Department in 2020. Over the course of his career, Major White has served in patrol, Criminal Investigations, S.W.A.T. Operations, and as a task force officer for the Virginia State Police. Major White earned his Juris Doctorate from American University Washington College of Law in 2018 and then in 2021 became a practicing attorney for the law firm of Gayheart & Willis, P.C. in Culpeper. He is also a 2020 graduate of the Forensic Science Academy.

  • Currently vacant, officer to be promoted

  • Supervisor, Community Policing Unit

  • Supervisor, 1st Platoon Patrol

  • Supervisor, 4th Platoon Patrol

  • Supervisor, Criminal Investigations Division

  • Supervisor, 3rd Platoon Patrol

  • Supervisor, 2nd Platoon Patrol

JOIN the CPD

Are you ready to build the history of the Culpeper Police Department and make a difference in your community? We're seeking passionate and qualified individuals to become part of our dedicated team of law enforcement professionals.

Learn more about our divisions and current openings.