The Sheriff’s Office was created in 1742, at the same time Fairfax County was formed, and is now one of three public safety agencies responsible for the safety and well-being of the 1.1 million residents of Fairfax County. Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid and her deputies also serves the 65,000 residents of the City of Fairfax and towns of Herndon and Vienna.

The position of Sheriff is established by the Constitution of Virginia. At best count, there have been 77 sheriffs in Fairfax County since 1742, including Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid. Though early sheriffs served for terms of two years, the people elect the current position every four years.

Core Functions

• Operate the Adult Detention Center;
• Provide security for the courtrooms, Courthouse and surrounding complex; and
• Serve/execute civil law process on behalf of the courts.

In addition, the Sheriff's Office has an active community engagement program.

Sheriff Kincaid helped launch Diversion First so that incarceration would no longer be the default solution for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Sheriff’s Office is accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, American Correctional Association, Virginia Department of Corrections and Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. The Sheriff’s Office also participates in several state, county and internal audits throughout the year.

Staff

• 532 employees of which 92% are sworn law enforcement officers
• 32% women
  68% male
• 41% persons of color
• 23% military veterans