[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6311652,"mediaKeyId","2394922-df985bfa9cb74107b146e7e2c5aa8e75","parentId",2394922,"title","Fairfax supervisors debate whether wildlife program should remain with police or move to Park Authority","audioSeconds",1913,"startMs",130000,"endMs",2043000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394922-df985bfa9cb74107b146e7e2c5aa8e75&start=130&end=2043","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394922-df985bfa9cb74107b146e7e2c5aa8e75/thumbnail_130000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311652/Fairfax/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Fairfax-supervisors-debate-whether-wildlife-program-should-remain-with-police-or-move-to-Park-Authority","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311652-22b225142996587f56bb541cee4a6f5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202302&Signature=Oe7RA7hew13mBzqczBkVpoOmUXknaEOkROvSuIpjJnkb6OrjOwT7~-FIx7JNbnvGFLyxaw-jU29XxWr4WiJh7a7ZwcQB7hOj7ImrYiJnA8aDHN8T8h~XWvXAezdcxUlmjr-y6tuDjAByE95unQ5BxwWEGQXBa52pA9VH~osCNvcKl2NUGyIisdcsPuY-qS8KdqEUQmwNlZPGNd8mBp0yNFu-DsV9T~N2XsqWyevcbp7xBKKpP4WukGAjPs-~RMRfllSZRtIPkad7rb1pbM7XBO5xVEuRCOLo4HbxMEyEZiCnqRc8P0VGFBF1jXk3UpaXOXJWqTIXjuBHBy-a5eQCow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fairfax County","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Assistant Chief of Police Bob Blakely and county staff briefed the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 about the county's wildlife management program and the question of whether the unit should remain in the Fairfax County Police Department or be transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The presentation, prepared by the county wildlife biologist Dr. Edwards (who was not present because she was ill), described the scope of the program: deer population control carried out since 1997 using archery, managed shotgun hunts and sharpshooter operations on more than 100 properties; a Canada goose management program that uses egg oiling under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service registration; beaver coexistence and mitigation consultations; bat, bird and amphibian surveys done in partnership with the Park Authority and external conservation partners; and chronic wasting disease surveillance tied to the county's deer management work. Blakely said the program's work includes outreach to homeowners associations and coordination with state agencies on wildlife health issues such as chronic wasting disease, hemorrhagic disease, rabies and avian influenza.

Deputy County Executive Tom Arnold told supervisors the county has discussed the idea of transferring the wildlife functions to the Park Authority because the Authority already employs ecology‑series positions that align with the county's wildlife roles. He said those classification differences — a \u001cnaturalist\u001d classification in the police department versus an \u001cecologist\u001d series at the Park Authority — are a practical reason administrators are considering the move and that the Park Authority has an established ecological program and existing working relationships with the county's wildlife staff.

Supporters of a transfer pointed to potential benefits including closer alignment of ecology expertise and Park Authority capacity. Officials said the Park Authority director has recent experience running a similar program, which could make for a smoother transition. Those who favored keeping the program in the police department said doing so preserves direct Board of Supervisors oversight and keeps wildlife work within an agency tied closely to public safety operations.

Multiple supervisors said their constituents expect countywide coverage, not only parkland services, and raised concerns about perception and governance if the Park Authority — which is governed by its own fiduciary board — took responsibility for a countywide function. Several supervisors asked staff to present clear pros and cons and to avoid rushing a final decision. Supervisor comments emphasized the need for partnership among the police department, animal services and the Park Authority regardless of where the unit lands.

Officials described continuity commitments if the unit moves: Dr. Edwards would continue to lead wildlife work during any transition, existing collaborations with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Fairfax County Park Authority, stormwater and urban forestry staff would remain, and current protocols for public safety calls involving wildlife would be preserved. Blakely said archery remains the primary deer management method, with about 500–600 hunters participating annually, and that safety protocols and safety audits are central to current operations.

Staff confirmed no final decision has been made. They said county leaders plan to bring proposed code updates and retirement‑code revisions to the Board in March with public hearings in April, as part of the larger animal services consolidation discussions. Supervisors asked for additional information comparing challenges and benefits under each placement option and for clarification about training, response authority for dangerous animals, and how the county would preserve program quality over time.

Supervisors requested follow‑up materials and time to review a fuller set of pros and cons before any formal transfer. Several asked staff to ensure public messaging makes clear that wildlife management is a county program serving all of Fairfax County, not exclusively a Park Authority function, regardless of organizational placement.

Ending

County staff said they will continue discussions with the Park Authority and other stakeholders, compile comparative pros and cons for the Board, and bring necessary code updates to the Board for consideration in March with a public hearing in April. No formal vote or final action on the wildlife program's placement occurred during the Feb. 11 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Feb. 11, 2025 Safety and Security Committee\t","oneSentenceSummary","Assistant Chief of Police Bob Blakely and county staff briefed the Board of Supervisors Feb. 11 on the county's wildlife management program and whether it should remain with the Fairfax County Police Department or move to the Fairfax County Park Authority.","taxTitle","Fairfax, Fairfax County, Virginia","taxId",3338,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6311648,"Fairfax to rename and restructure animal services; staff outline training, hiring and protections for current APPOs",2379,2318000,4697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394922-df985bfa9cb74107b146e7e2c5aa8e75&start=2318&end=4697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394922-df985bfa9cb74107b146e7e2c5aa8e75/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","/articles/6311648/Fairfax/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Fairfax-to-rename-and-restructure-animal-services-staff-outline-training-hiring-and-protections-for-current-APPOs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311648-92c75caad652c77bc46f0f805f7413af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202302&Signature=n1qV44bZwAonlwczDnunGRrwI22Oz-U4LN7x93acUZ2qs1KoZvfzXr0KxeQdRUvZTdN8ZpNIc1xK84B4X6w42GBQqOuc4PeiC5RZnRs0BvhBnwsGFxGWi-xm~kyldTR7f7UNeoHnmgeVWJHUUX0IxDW~Y1uEuLz2A4QDkHSKuWCH3OHeJa0AycH9wADRqfU3KuzzYsU6FDnG9JVFcdrU4VlTWb9FGvg3fQ7VOZcDwG1R9q21UhSEWcY5jEV~wVWMK30ehvU0~oCOr~hYtUZNuDsvDWFFquQ73x0ci~qJwjJIFXyEdn04NX1OS9UpZH-HMGB5JWxzLaX3a24xyp5bpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Risa Currier, director of the Department of Animal Sheltering, told the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 that the county will rebrand the agency as the Department of Animal Services as part of a consolidation that moves field services out of the Fairfax County Police Department.

Currier said the consolidated field services division will mirror existing policing-era operations while expanding outreach and resources that keep animals with families. She said the department cared for nearly 5,000 animals at the county's two shelters in the prior year and provided support to an additional roughly 5,000 families through vaccination clinics, spay/neuter vouchers, pet food assistance and other programs.

Since adoption of the FY2025 budget and the approved transfer of positions, the county has hired a chief field services officer, Thomas Engle, who previously oversaw a similar transition in Montgomery County, Md. Currier said recruitment for the Animal Services Officer (ASO) classification has begun; negotiations with the Southern States Police Benevolent Association (SSPBA) over the transition's effects remain underway and a memorandum of understanding is being finalized.

Currier described the proposed field structure: two primary teams operating AM/PM shifts with plans to add overnight coverage. The structure includes leadership positions to support specialization and career development, and is intended to ensure consistent call response during 24/7 operations. Currier said initial training will take about three months and that ASOs will attend a state‑mandated animal control academy overseen by the state veterinarian and receive supplemental training including capture/chemical immobilization, wildlife triage, euthanasia protocols and human‑services cross‑training.

Staff said the ASO role will be empowered to enforce state and local animal codes, investigate cruelty and bites, partner with local law enforcement on complex incidents, and connect residents to shelter programs such as the Safe Haven program for victims of domestic violence. The consolidated model will include specialized Animal Services Investigator (ASI) positions to handle complex cruelty investigations and serve as liaisons with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. Currier said the county plans two ASI positions and described them as potential career opportunities for APPOs who wish to remain in animal services.

On wildlife calls, Currier said ASOs will continue to respond, triage injured or orphaned wildlife and transfer appropriate cases to licensed wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians; when rehabilitation is not possible officers will euthanize with chemical injection or, for deer dispatch, a small‑caliber rifle as authorized under state practice. Staff said they are reviewing standard operating procedures with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the State Veterinarian and have established a wildlife advisory committee that includes wildlife rehabilitators, a wildlife veterinarian, the county shelter veterinarian and the county wildlife specialist to update SOPs and address challenges such as a decline in licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

Staff emphasized a \u001cdo no harm\u001d approach to current employees: each Animal Protection Police Officer (APPO) will receive clear, written information on options to (1) transfer into the civilian ASO track within Department of Animal Services or (2) remain a sworn law enforcement officer with Fairfax County Police Department and pursue a traditional sworn assignment. Staff said no employee would lose existing pay or benefits as a result of the transition and that the county has designed on‑the‑job training pathways to allow APPOs who choose police sworn careers to refresh law enforcement skills and rank‑appropriate supervisory training if needed.

Currier said staff will present code updates to Chapter 41 and retirement‑code revisions to the Board in March with a public hearing in April, dependent on finalization of the SSPBA MOU. She said the county will continue side‑by‑side operations with FCPD until ASO staffing and training reach operational readiness to avoid service disruptions.

Ending

Staff began ASO recruitment, are finalizing the SSPBA effects MOU, will bring code updates in March with public hearings in April, and plan to operate jointly with FCPD during the transition to ensure continuity of services. No formal Board action was taken on Feb. 11.","Director Risa Currier and county staff updated the Board on consolidating animal services into a civilian Department of Animal Services, announced a departmental rename, hiring for Animal Services Officer positions, a training plan and protections for current Animal Protection Police Officers while collective bargaining continues.","actionData","errors"]

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Fairfax supervisors debate whether wildlife program should remain with police or move to Park Authority

Fairfax to rename and restructure animal services; staff outline training, hiring and protections for current APPOs