James A. Cervera

Chief James A. Cervera, MA

James A. Cervera began his police career on January 6, 1976, in Montclair, New Jersey. He relocated to Virginia Beach and was sworn in as a police officer on July 1, 1998. He steadily rose through the ranks and held a variety of assignments that included Homicide Detective, SWAT Team Sergeant, Director of Training, Precinct Captain, Deputy Chief of Operations and Deputy Chief of Investigations. He was assigned as the Plans Officer for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 2 from 1995 through September 20, 2001. He responded to numerous natural disasters on the East Coast and completed a six-day assignment in the Pentagon during the September 11 terrorist attack. On June 1, 2010, he was appointed as Interim Chief of Police and subsequently appointed as Chief of Police on September 1, 2010. He retired after a 44 year career on May 1, 2020. As Chief he instituted Community Policing strategies, Mobile Co-Response programs with City Emergency Mental Health professionals, School Resource Officer programs, drones and department-wide Crisis Intervention Training. 

Jim has testified before Congress and was appointed to transition teams for two Virginia Governors. He was a member of the Department of Criminal Justice Services Board, The Major City Chiefs Board and the LEAD Hampton Roads Board. He has presented before the National Executive Institute, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Police Executive Leadership Institute. Furthermore, he designed and taught a series of courses for the FBI National Academy Associates and has served, for 30 years, as an Adjunct Faculty Professor for Tidewater Community College.

Jim holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University and has graduated from the FBI National Academy, UVA Senior Executive Institute, FBI National Executive Institute and Senior Management in Police.