Originally formed in 1926, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and Foundation, Inc. (DBA Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, or VACP) is an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Previously operating as separate entities, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. (501(c)6 entity) and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation (501(c)3 entity) merged operations in May 2016. The VACP's members are made up of active and retired federal, state, local and private law enforcement and criminal justice agency executives, administrators and managers. Members also include persons in law enforcement-related businesses, support industries or government agencies. The VACP has three classes of dues-paying membership — Active, Associate, and Senior. A ten-member Executive Board elected by the Active members governs the affairs of the VACP. The purpose of the VACP is "to promote the professional development of all executive and management personnel within duly constituted law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia; to encourage close cooperation of all law enforcement agencies in the prevention of crime, detection of crime and the apprehension of those responsible for the commission of crimes; to promote the highest standards of the police profession through selection and training of law enforcement officers and generally pledge and strive for the highest degree of respect for law and order throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia."