Question 1

How do I make a Commendation?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to make a commendation recognizing the actions of a deputy or about any aspect of law enforcement, correctional, or court service operations provided by the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, you can one of the following:

1) Come to the office and tell any employee that you want to make a commendation.
Call the office and tell the person answering the phone that you want to make a commendation.

2) Write your commendation letter and mail it to the Sheriff at the address listed below:

Sheriff, City of Roanoke
Professional Standards Unit
340 Campbell Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016

3) Submitting a Form (click here)(https://www.roanokecitysheriffsoffice.com/request-report)

Commander Brian Geiser or other supervisory deputy can assist you in filling out a commendation form (PDF), if necessary. This form asks you to identify yourself and give specific details about your commendation request. You may be contacted at a later date and asked to provide additional information regarding the commendation request.

Your commendation request will then be forwarded to the Sheriff or designee for review.

Question 2

How do I make a Complaint?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to make a complaint about the actions of a deputy or about any aspect of law enforcement, correctional, or court services operations, you can do one of the following:

1) Come to the office and tell any employee that you want to make a complaint
Call the office and tell the person answering the phone that you want to make a complaint.

2) Write your complaint and mail it to the Sheriff at the address listed below:

Sheriff, City of Roanoke
Professional Standards Unit
340 Campbell Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016

3) Submitting a Form (click here)(https://www.roanokecitysheriffsoffice.com/request-report)

Commander Brian Geiser or other supervisory deputy can assist you in filling out a complaint form (PDF), if necessary. This form asks you to identify yourself and then to give specific details about your complaint. Your complaint will then be investigated. You may be contacted and asked additional questions about your complaint.

If it is going to take a long time to investigate your complaint, you will receive a letter telling you approximately when you may expect a reply. When your complaint has been investigated, the sheriff or designee will review the investigation and will write you a letter explaining the results of the investigation.

Question 3

What items are prohibited in the Roanoke City Courthouse?

Accepted Answer

Any electronic devices (i.e., phones, cameras, laptops, tablets, MP3 players, smart watches, etc.) and anything that may be considered a weapon and/or considered a security risk (i.e., guns, knives, stun devices, handcuff keys, pepper spray, etc.)

Question 4

What are the operating hours of the Roanoke City Courthouse?

Accepted Answer

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Question 5

Can you be asked to leave the Roanoke City Courthouse for inappropriate dress?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All persons entering any courtroom must dress and act in a respectful and appropriate manner indicative of the dignity of court proceedings. Each court determines appropriate dress and action for that court.

Court Dress Code Restrictions

Please be aware that some courts do not permit:
 • Short/Tank Tops
 • Hat, headbands or kerchiefs, except for religious or medical needs
 • Excessive or inappropriate body exposure
 • Sunglasses except for medical needs
 • Bare feet, flip-flops, slippers
 • Clothing with wording or picture that is obscene, offensive or vulgar
 • Exposed underwear
 • Chewing gum, tobacco, drinks or food

Question 6

What are the visiting hours for residents housed at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center (RCDC)?

Accepted Answer

Adult visitors are admitted Tuesdays from 7:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Children ages 13 and under are permitted on Saturdays from 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. Approved visitors will be permitted to visit for approximately 20 minutes and visit only once during a 7 day period.

Question 7

Can I make a phone call to someone being held at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center (RCDC)?

Accepted Answer

No. Residents are only permitted to make outgoing calls. They are not limited in the number of calls made during normal operating hours, however, the phone system will limit calls to approximately 30 minutes in length. There is a charge to the person receiving the collect call from the resident.

The Roanoke City Adult Detention Center uses a special telephone system to prevent residents from abusing and or harassing citizens by regulating the call patterns of a resident. This system also ensures that all residents have equal access to the phone. This system has the capabilities to block specific telephone numbers to prevent residents from placing unwanted calls. Any citizen may request their phone number blocked by contacting the resident telephone system provider at 1-877-650-4249.

Question 8

How can someone write to a resident being held at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center (RCDC)?

Accepted Answer

The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office does not accept postal mail for residents excluding legal mail. Postal mail for residents should be addressed and sent to:

– Roanoke City Adult Detention Center
RESIDENT NAME-ID NUMBER
PO Box 247 Phoenix, Maryland 21131

Postal mail received by the tablet provider will be processed, scanned, and uploaded in a digital format for delivery to the respective resident via a kiosk or tablet.

Question 9

I'm reporting to the detention center to serve weekends or a deferred sentence. What items am I allowed to bring with me?

Accepted Answer

Only cash and prescription medication in original packaging (subject to approval from the medical staff) are allowed. No other items will be permitted.

Question 10

I've heard that residents at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center have to pay for their own medicine and medical care. Is that true?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Roanoke City Adult Detention Center operates a Medical Co-Payment Program under the authority of the Code of Virginia. Residents pay a co-payment for various medical services such as dental visits, sick call, RCDC/other doctor visits and prescription handling fees.

However, medical care is never refused to a resident because of inability to pay. These co-payments are utilized as a source to help off-set the rising costs of medical care.

Question 11

How can I leave money on a resident's account?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways that a resident may receive funds while incarcerated, they are:

1. Money in arrestee's/resident's possession at time of commitment 
2. Money deposited in one of the kiosks located in the visitor’s lobbies
3. Money left via internet at jailatm.com
4. Money order or cashier’s check sent through the mail
5. Money deposited by work release participants

Kiosks are located at the public entrances to the detention center. Both are located in the facility's visitor's lobbies (Main and Annex). These kiosks allow visitors to deposit funds onto resident's accounts using cash or debit card. When using the kiosks, please note that there is a $3.00 charge for each deposit made at the ATM.

Money orders and cashier’s checks will be accepted through the mail and placed on the resident's account. Cash will not be accepted through postal mail. Money orders and cashier’s checks must be placed in an envelope containing only the money order or cashier’s check and a blank cover page and mailed to the following address:

Roanoke City Adult Detention Center
Attention: Resident Accounts
 340 Campbell Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24016

Money orders and cashier’s checks must be made payable to:

Roanoke City Adult Detention Center Resident Fund c/o
 “Resident’s full legal name”
The memo line must contain the resident's ID Number

The sender should include their contact information, including phone number in case of a discrepancy.

Envelopes containing anything other than a money order and a blank cover page will result in those additional contents being destroyed.

Money orders and cashier’s checks that are made out incorrectly will be returned to sender if there is a return address or placed in the resident’s property until the resident is released.
Funds deposited through one of the kiosks are credited to the resident account in real time. Funds deposited through internet can take 24-48 hours to post to the resident’s account. Money orders and cashier’s checks are deposited the next business day. Residents will not receive a receipt for funds received for their account. He/she may verify their account status through the canteen telephone system.

Question 12

What is the "dollar a day" program?

Accepted Answer

Residents are charged $1 per day for each day they serve at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center to help offset the cost of their incarceration. Different rules apply for those residents serving weekends, work release program participants, federal prisoners and those residents who work as trusties.

Question 13

What is Fentanyl?

Accepted Answer

Click on the following links for more info.

It only takes one:
https://www.itonlytakesone.virginia.gov/ (https://www.itonlytakesone.virginia.gov/)

One pill can kill:
https://onepillcankillva.org/ (https://onepillcankillva.org/)

Documents:

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/62a7d9_db4bcfca8cdd49e1a47471c024d72a25~mv2.jpg

Question 14

Questions about COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

Click on the following link for more info.

Link: COVID-19 (https://roanokecitysheriffsoffice.com/covid-19)

Question 15

What is The Blue Envelope?

Accepted Answer

The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office is proud to announce that The Blue Envelope has been approved as a tool that can be utilized by those with autism for safe interactions with members of law enforcement, effective July 1, 2025.

If you would like an envelope, please visit your local DMV. Watch the video and click on the attachment for more information.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/BlueEnvelope

https://youtu.be/sj4ECf_IQWM

RSO

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Opening Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Physical Address:
340 Campbell Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA24016

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 494
Roanoke, VA 24003

Day Phone: (540) 853-2941
Fax: (540) 853-5353

Operation Hours:
24/7

Physical Address:
324 Campbell Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24016

Phone: (540) 853-6777

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