In recognition of the importance of maintaining the public's trust in the City of Virginia Beach Police Department, and to ensure that citizens have confidence that allegations of abuse of authority or other serious misconduct by police officers will be impartially investigated and evaluated, the City Manager's Special Task Force has recommended the implementation of an independent reviewing body to review police internal investigation reports.

In furtherance of this recommendation (as affirmed by Resolution of the Virginia Beach City Council), the Investigation Review Panel (IRP) was established.