Lt. Col. Robert Wash is the Chief of Staff in charge of the NSO's Administrative Services Bureau. His area of responsibility includes human resources and personnel issues for more than 500 sworn and civilian employees. He is also responsible for policy and procedures as well as the entire investigations unit.

Lt. Col. Wash came to the NSO in September of 1996, after retiring from the Norfolk Police Department with more than 33 years of experience. He started as a patrol officer and climbed through the ranks to the position of Captain specializing in investigative work particularly in the area of Vice and Narcotics.

Lt. Col. Wash has achieved dozens of awards and accommodations during his distinguished law enforcement career, including Policeman of the Year, Outstanding Student at the Virginia School of Polygraph Examiners and Outstanding Student at the National Training Institute's Drug Enforcement Officers Academy. Wash has been recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Virginia Beach Police Department for contributions to the community through dedicated and effective drug law enforcement.

He and his wife Linda have been married 45 years and they have two children and four grandchildren.