Our Sheriff
Sheriff of the City of Portsmouth, The Honorable Michael A. Moore, began his career in public service as a Trooper with the Virginia State Police (VSP). He considers public service a calling, and his career of over twenty-six years is a testament to his commitment. Moore graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 1986 as Vice President of the 75th Basic Session. After his tenure with the VSP, Moore began Federal service as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with stints in the Norfolk, VA, and Pittsburg, PA divisions.
Moore also served with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) as a Special Agent, and was elevated to the position of Supervisory Special Agent in Detroit, MI, Norfolk, VA, Richmond, VA, and Charlottesville, VA. He was also Regional Supervisor for the Department of Justice (DOJ) ATF Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Team. During his tenure with the ATF, from 2002 to 2006, Moore was assigned to the Office of Professional Responsibility and Operations, Internal Affairs Division at Falls Church, VA.
A results-oriented professional, he possesses a Top Secret-SCI security clearance, and has expertise in investigations, interviews, interrogations, supervision, training, and Internal Affairs. Sheriff Moore retired from the DOJ in 2012.
Sheriff Moore is a graduate of numerous prestigious training programs: the Virginia State Police Academy, the FBI/DEA Academy, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Additionally, Sheriff Moore has obtained advanced instruction and certifications from the following courses: the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. State Department Dignitary Protection Program, Critical Incident Management Training, Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Training, the Special Response Team Program, ATF Supervisory Training, and the Explosive Scene Reconstruction/Arson Investigation Security Training Course for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. Sheriff Moore completed Spanish studies at the DOJ/ DEA Foreign Language School, and was a Visiting Instructor at FLETC.
Sheriff Moore is a native of the City of Portsmouth. He grew up in the Cavalier Manor neighborhood and graduated from Manor High School in 1974. Following graduation he obtained an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science from John Tyler Community College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Norfolk State University.
Undersheriff for the City of Portsmouth, Col. Marvin A. Waters, Jr., has over two decades of dedicated public safety experience. During the vast majority of those years, he served in an executive command capacity. His core strengths include partnership development, team building, mentorship, strategic planning, and budget management. He values open communication, always exploring ways to increase the impact of teams under his leadership.
Col. Waters began his career in the private sector at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. Later, at age twenty-five, he was appointed Director of Public Safety for South Gate Mall in North Carolina, becoming the youngest Public Safety Director in the country. Following that assignment, he returned to Virginia and was appointed Director of Public Safety for The Gallery at Military Circle in Norfolk. During his tenure, he assumed command at both Military Circle and Chesapeake Square Malls. His success in the public safety sphere led to Waters being tapped as Director of Public Safety for Tidewater Community College – Portsmouth Campus.
Col. Waters transitioned to a career in law enforcement in 2009 as a member of the Portsmouth Police Department Auxiliary unit. A graduate of the Chesapeake Police Department Academy, Waters served with the City of Newport News Security Services, and the Eastern State Hospital Police Department before joining Sheriff M. A. Moore at the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office. At Portsmouth, Col. Waters served as a Lieutenant Colonel (Chief Deputy of Administration) before being elevated to his current role as Undersheriff.
Col. Waters is a City of Portsmouth native. He attended Portsmouth Public Schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He completed a Legal Studies program at Old Dominion University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Talladega College. Col. Waters is a graduate of the prestigious Northwestern University School Of Police Staff And Command.
Throughout his career, Col. Waters has received numerous accolades. Always seeking opportunities for professional growth, Col. Waters completed the FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Program, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Leadership Program, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services – General Instructorship for Campus and School Security Curriculum, and the Virginia Gang Investigators and Gang Specialists Course. He is also a state certified Substance Abuse Counselor.
