New Officers Sworn In Following Graduation from Training Academy
Published on December 13, 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. – December 10, 2021 marked a significant milestone for the Arlington County Police Department’s 18 newest officers as Session 145 graduated from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. During the graduation, the officers took their oath to serve and protect the Arlington community and safeguard the Constitutional rights of all. 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.
“With great pride, I welcome our 18 new officers who will continue the department’s more than 80-year legacy of providing professional law enforcement services to the Arlington community,” said Chief Andy Penn. “These officers join our ranks during a transformational time in the law enforcement profession and I am confident their training will serve as a foundation for the high-quality service each have been entrusted to provide. I commend these officers on selecting a career committed to the service of others and want to thank them for choosing this agency and community to make a difference in.”
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 145 reflects this commitment and consists of nine males and nine females, including one with prior law enforcement experience and one military veteran. All 18 new officers hold higher education degrees, including one with an advanced degree. Four of the officers also speak Spanish. The class hails from nine different states and three are native Arlingtonians.
The new officers were recognized with the following additional achievements at graduation:
- Officer M. Venson served as the class President
- Officer K. Greene received the Award for Academic Excellence – 1st place
- Officer A. Markiewicz received the Award for Academic Excellence – 3rd place
- Officer M. Venson received the Award for Physical Fitness (Females) – 1st place
- Officer K. Greene received the Award for Physical Fitness (Females) – 2nd place
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.