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TextSheriff’s Deputies Graduate from Academy and Receive Top Awards
March 11, 2010
Nineteen new deputy sheriffs, along with 18 police officers graduated the 56th session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy. The ceremony was held at the George Mason University Center for the Arts.
Deputy Sheriff Kevin Davis received the Instructor's
Award for his outstanding leadership. Davis was also elected class
president by his peers. He spoke to the gathering of law enforcement
officers and their families about the journey and experiences of academy
life. "Today, we leave a controlled environment to venture out into
the real world. We will protect and serve the residents of Fairfax County
with humility and professionalism."
Deputy Sheriff Carmela Slocum received the Training Award for outstanding performance during the physical fitness phase of the Academy, and Deputy Sheriff Manuel Vaz received the Defensive Tactics award. Deputy Sheriff Joshua Silver had the second highest overall academic score of 98.44 percent, and Deputy Sheriff Andrea Mardocco was elected class treasurer.
Mike London, head football coach at the University of Virginia, provided the keynote address. London was the head football coach at the University of Richmond, where he won the Football Championship Series national title in 2008. A Virginia native, London played college and pro football with the University of Richmond Spiders and Dallas Cowboys. He was a police detective with the Richmond City Police Department before pursuing a coaching career.
The six month basic recruit session covered every phase of law enforcement principles and procedures, and upon graduation each recruit is a certified law enforcement officer. Each deputy sheriff receives additional certification in jail operations, court security and civil process. The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy is the training center for the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Fairfax County Police Department, and the Towns of Herndon and Vienna Police Departments. In addition, it provides training for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department fire marshals.
The Sheriff's Office offers a wide variety of exciting career opportunities in the field of criminal justice. With more than 500 sworn deputy sheriffs, Fairfax is the largest Sheriff's Office in Virginia and among the largest in the country. The Sheriff's Office is accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare and the American Correctional Association.
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