Virginia Union University Appoints Vance Richards as Acting Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety

October 20, 2023

RICHMOND, VA --- October 20, 2023] — Virginia Union University President and CEO Dr. Hakim J. Lucas is excited to appoint Vance Richards as Acting Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety.

" I am thrilled to announce Vance Richards as the new Chief of Police and Director of Campus Safety at VUU. With his expertise, we're building a stronger police department to ensure the safety and well being of our campus community at VUU," said Dr. Lucas. 

In 1991, Vance Richards embarked on his law enforcement journey in the City of Hampton and is a proud graduate of the Hampton Roads Academy of Criminal Justice. Over his illustrious 32-year career, he has lent his expertise to various agencies, including the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office and the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office. Notably, his career culminated with retirement from the Petersburg Bureau of Police in 2017. However, Vance's dedication to law enforcement brought him back to the fold, and within the same year, he assumed the role of Uniform Patrol Sergeant at the Hampton University Police Department. His outstanding work there saw him rise to the position of 1st Sergeant, overseeing 24 Police Officers and 12 Campus Security Officers.

After approximately two years of exemplary service at the Hampton University Police Department, Vance received a call to return to Petersburg. There, he was tasked with supervising the Sheriff's Office's Traffic Enforcement Unit, which resulted in an impressive revenue boost of over $130,000 for the city of Petersburg.

Vance's career is marked by numerous achievements. As a Major Crimes Detective, he achieved state recognition as an expert in Sex Crimes and Child Abuse, earning his certification from the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Unit. During his tenure in Major Crimes, Vance also delved into the realm of Narcotics and various other fields within the division. Beyond these remarkable feats, Vance brings a wealth of qualifications to Virginia Union University, including Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) General Instructor, Arson Investigations, Laboratory Scientific Interrogation (LSI), Breath Alcohol Operator EC/IR II, Radar/Lidar Operations, Street Survival, Active Shooter Response, VCIN/TAC, Field Training Officer, Forensic Child Interviewing, Crisis Intervention C.I.T., police motor (motorcycle officer) unit expertise, and a plethora of supervisory training programs, to name just a few.

Vance's journey with the Virginia Union University Police Department commenced in 2020, and as its appointed Chief, he is poised to leverage his extensive training and experience. His vision is to fortify the Police Department through a robust commitment to community policing and a forward-looking approach. Vance is devoted to focusing on the future, not dwelling on the past.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Vance finds joy in spending quality time with his family and doting on his grandchildren. He's also an avid motorcyclist.