Honors & Awards En español
You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it-Albert Schweitzer
A History of Service
John Bell knows that strong leadership makes a community stronger. With a long and distinguished history of civic participation, John Bell not only believes in making communities stronger, he gives of his time to make it happen.
- Fraternal Order of Police, Commodore Lodge No. 3- Community Service Award 1982
- Police Association of Virginia, Meritorious Service Award 1982
- Virginia Beach Police Department Silver Cross Award 1982
- Tidewater Law Enforcement Officers Association- Minority Officer of the Year 1989
- NAACP Freedon Fund Banquet- Honoree for accomplishments in field of Public Service 1997
- Mt. Zion AME Church- African-American Heritage Award recognizing becoming the first African-American promoted to Captain on the Virginia Beach Police Department 1998
- Virginia Beach City Managers Award- Recognition of achievement and committment to quality service and contributions to the City of Virginia Beach 2000
- First Police Precinct Citizens Advisory Committee(CAC)- Award for service to CAC while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Precinct 2001
- NAACP Black History Expo- Certificate recognizing contribution as inspirational speaker 2002
- Mt. Zion AME Church- Community Service Award 2003
- Fox 43 Television- Recognized on television as Black History Legend 2006
- National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives(NOBLE) Central Virginia Chapter-Honoree for contributions to law enforcement as a role model 2008
- NOBLE Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter- Past First-Vice President
- Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission- Police Department liaison to Commission
- Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach Campus- Member, Administration of Justice Curriculum Advisory Board
- City of Virginia Beach, Crisis Intervention Team(CIT) Grant- Served as Police Department lead and liaison with other city stakeholders for the preparation, submission and subsequent award of a $130,000 grant to train police officers and other service providers to interact with those in mental health crisis. This grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services was one of only two such grants awarded in the Commonwealth of Virginia