Deputy Chief John L. Bell Jr. commands the Professional Standards Division. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where he began his career in law enforcement with the New York City Transit Police Department. Deputy Chief Bell began his career as a police officer with the Virginia Beach Police Department on January 16, 1976.
During his career with the Virginia Beach Police Department, Deputy Chief Bell has worked assignments as a detective, patrol sergeant, and lieutenant. After he was promoted to the rank of captain in 1997, he served as a Command Duty Officer, commanded the First and Third Precincts, Detective Bureau and Professional Standards Office. He was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief on November 1, 2010.
Deputy Chief Bell has attended numerous law enforcement and professional management courses including the 100th. session of the Southern Police Institute, Administrative Officers Course at the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, the Professional Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond and Lead Hampton Roads, a program promoting regionalism which is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Deputy Chief Bell’s academic credentials include an Associates of Arts degree from Saint Leo University, a Bachelor of Arts degree, from Saint Leo University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy University.