Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb is once again being challenged by Aldo “Peacemaker Aldo” Dibelardino. The two men ran against each other in last year’s special election, which ended with Holcomb, a Republican, capturing nearly 72% of the vote and Dibelardino, an independent, getting 26%.
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Aldo “PeaceMaker Aldo” Dibelardino
Age: 56
Employment: Director, X-it Products
Education: Bachelor’s degree, civil engineering, University of Virginia and Harvard Business School
Party affiliation: Independent
Website: PeaceMakerSheriff.org
How closely will you cooperate with the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law?
Very closely; the VBSO will work hand-in-hand with the community to help ensure rule-of-law. I am the proud son of Italian immigrants and believe America is a beacon of hope, offering all the opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and happiness through lawful and fair processes. As PeaceMaker sheriff, my mission will be to safeguard the Constitutional rights of everyone in our community and ensure the justice system remains accountable to the people it serves. That begins with restoring true grand jury independence, giving citizens their rightful role as a check on government power. I will also increase transparency by allowing all people–after standard security screening–to bring smartphones and other electronic devices into our courthouse. This will make proceedings more accessible, encourage informed public engagement, and help rebuild trust in our legal institutions.
What will you do to reduce staffing shortages at your local jail, both now and in the future?
1. Change the culture at the VBSO to one defined by integrity to attract people who aspire to serve with honor – please see the PeaceMaker deputy oath at PeaceMakerSheriff.org. There is already a growing cadre of local former special warfare operators willing to become PeaceMaker deputies and we believe interest will grow. 2. Explore options to reduce inmate load including but not limited to home monitoring. 3. Establishing a Justice Review Committee: A qualified, community-based panel will review inmate cases to ensure due process and constitutional protections for every person — equally, without bias.
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Rocky Holcomb
Age: 57
Job title and company: Sheriff, Virginia Beach
Highest level of education: Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and management, Regent University
Party affiliation: Republican
Website: rockyholcombvbsheriff.com/
How closely will you cooperate with the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law?
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office has long maintained a strong and cooperative relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As part of this ongoing relationship, when a non-U.S. citizen is taken into jail custody, we promptly notify ICE. ICE then decides whether to take the individual into federal custody once we have completed processing them on their state or local charges. I am committed to due process and to upholding all laws, including federal immigration laws. I am also committed to making Virginia Beach a safe and welcoming place for all.
What will you do to reduce staffing shortages at your local jail, both now and in the future?
Staffing shortages are a challenge at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office and at law enforcement organizations nationwide. As Sheriff, I have implemented a rigorous recruitment and retention program, which included hiring a new human resources director, assigning a sergeant to recruit full-time, advertising, holding an all-day recruitment event to expedite the hiring process, attending career fairs, and more. We also offer a competitive salary and benefits and offer a recruitment bonus of $5,000 for new hires and $10,000 for transfers. I have also been working to improve pay, benefits, promotion opportunities, staff recognition and morale, which are critical to recruiting and retaining quality personnel. Hopefully, with the support of the voters, in my next term I will continue and expand these efforts to ensure the citizens of Virginia Beach receive the service they expect and deserve.
Answers were compiled by The Virginian-Pilot staff.