New Officers Graduate from Session 147 of Training Academy
Published on December 21, 2022
ARLINGTON, Va. – Friends, family and coworkers gathered on December 19, 2022, to celebrate a significant milestone in the careers of Arlington County Police Department’s 14 newest officers as Session 147 graduated from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. Graduation from the Academy is part of the new officers' journey to becoming solo police officers in Arlington County, a process that spans approximately one year. As part of their ongoing training cycle, the newly graduated officers will now complete local and field training programs.
“I am pleased to welcome our 14 new officers as they take their solemn oath to serve and protect the Arlington community and safeguard the Constitutional rights of all,” said Chief Andy Penn. “Each graduating officer has demonstrated their commitment to public safety and the law enforcement profession by successfully completing their foundational training at the police academy. I am confident they will continue to show the same level of commitment as they complete their ongoing training curriculum and begin providing professional law enforcement services to the Arlington community. I am thankful to each graduate for choosing a career of public service and know they will serve the Arlington community with duty and honor.”
The Arlington County Police Department is committed to recruiting individuals from all backgrounds who possess the necessary qualifications to serve our diverse and inclusive community. Session 147 reflects this commitment and consists of nine men and five women. They hail from six different states, Costa Rica, Nepal and England. Thirteen of the officers hold higher education degrees, including two with advanced degrees. Two officers are military veterans, having served in the United States Army. Session 147 includes officers fluent in Spanish, Nepali and American Sign Language.
Additionally, Officer T. Kettleman was awarded 1st place in firearms proficiency during the graduation.
About the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy (NVCJA)
After being hired by the Department, the new officers began their training at the NVCJA, a regional academy offering high quality, professional training to recruit officers who will go on to serve agencies in Northern Virginia. New officers enrolled in the basic training program complete over 800 hours of training curriculum, which orients them to the diverse day-to-day challenges experienced by law enforcement personnel while on the job. In addition to basic training, NVCJA offers in-service training programs to officers throughout their careers.
More: Basic Training at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy
What Comes Next for the New Officers
The new officers will now complete the Department’s 12-week Field Training Program. During field training, the officers work alongside a Field Training Officer, who is responsible for mentoring, teaching, and evaluating them as they begin to apply knowledge gained during basic training at the NVCJA to real world situations they encounter when responding to calls for service and engaging with the community. Following successful completion of field training, the officers begin solo patrol.
Starting Your Career with ACPD
The Human Resources Management Section recruits qualified applicants to join future academy sessions throughout the year. We serve a diverse, urban and engaged community, with an emphasis on community policing and problem solving in support of the four key initiatives: community engagement, transportation safety, crime prevention and control and employee wellness. The men and women of our Department work and live by a set of core values: courage, competence, commitment, compassion, restraint, respect, and integrity. Learn more and start your career today by visiting ACPD.jobs.