The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy trains over 3,000 law enforcement officers each year. Training is presented primarily to the four member agencies of the Criminal Justice Academy: Fairfax County Police, Fairfax Sheriff's Office, Herndon Town Police and Vienna Town Police. The training is as varied as the assignments available in a large, modern police agency. Subjects routinely presented at the Academy include criminal patrol, investigative procedures, leadership, computer training, defensive tactics, Instructor certifications, career development, fitness, and foreign language training. Every officer or deputy is required to attend at least 40 hours of training every two years, but they may attend as many training sessions as their schedule will allow.

In addition to the customary classes held during business hours, the Professional Development Center now offers night classes. These classes are abbreviated versions of the classes offered above but are presented at night to accommodate those who work the evening or midnight shifts.

The Professional Development Center is administering both an Associates Degree Program and a Bachelors Degree Program in Administration of Justice at the Academy. The Associates program is offered through the Northern Virginia Community College, and the Bachelors program is affiliated with George Mason University.

Future plans include course offerings towards a Masters Degree Program in Public Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice and, possibly, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Management.

In addition to In-service training, the Academy provides funding to send more than 600 officers a year to specialized schools and training programs around the country.

Cadets are non-sworn employees of the Police Department who perform a variety of duties which do not require police authority. From the day they are hired, a cadet is viewed as a future Police Officer. The cadet program is viewed as a learning experience through which a young person has the opportunity to have first hand exposure to law enforcement.

To enhance the cadet's education, the Academy has established a Continuing Education program. The Police Department encourages cadets to attend any Northern Virginia Community College campus and the agency pays for up to 32 credit hours while at the rank of cadet. This will be accomplished at the rate of 2 courses, 6 credit hours, per semester. All books and fees for the two department sponsored courses will be reimbursed by the County. Courses to be taken must be those required to graduate for an Administration of Justice degree, and cadets must maintain a "B" average.

After being hired, cadets are assigned to one of the following areas for a 90 day rotation:

• Property Room
• Information and Policy Services
• Crime Scene Section
• Public Information Office
• Central Records
• Criminal Investigation Bureau
• Administrative Support Bureau
• Criminal Justice Academy
• Patrol

A cadet must undergo a polygraph examination as part of their initial application and is examined a second time prior to entering the Criminal Justice Academy. Pending the successful completion of the polygraph examination, the cadet is sent to the Academy just prior to his/her 21st birthday. After successful completion of the Academy, the cadet is sworn in as a police officer. For additional information about becoming a Fairfax County police Cadet click here.