RAPPAHANNOCK
INFORMANT
RAPPAHANNOCK REGIONAL CRIMINAL
JUSTICE ACADEMY
March 31, 2015
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
Inside this issue:
by:
RRCJA Employee of the
Quarter
2
Instructor Spotlight
Fredericksburg
2
Instructor Spotlight
Middletown
3
RRCJA Welcomes New
Coordinators to F’Burg
4
RRCJA M’town gets new
Employee
5
Middletown Thanks
5
Jail Basic #177 Graduates
6-7
Comm. Basic #116
Graduates
8
Comm. Basic #117
Graduates
9
Mike Harvey
RRCJA Executive Director
[email protected]
The start of 2015 presented the academy with some staffing challenges. The Fredericksburg campus lost both its Law Enforcement and Jail coordinators with classes in full swing.
My staff stepped up to the challenge to keep both recruit classes running smoothly. I
would like to thank the Fredericksburg Police Department and Chief Nye for loaning Officer Tracy Ulmer to us during this time. She has been a great benefit to the academy.
In January the Virginia Directors of Criminal Justice Training had a bill sponsored to help
generate revenue for the 10 regional academies across Virginia. Unfortunately, this bill
failed in committee. I would like to thank each of you who contacted your state legislators
to support this bill. The academy remains fiscally conservative while offering the highest
level of training possible and will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to bring
you the training you need and require.
Some good news out of this legislative session now recognizes two of our member agencies as private police departments in Virginia, Aquia Harbour Police Department and
Kings Dominion Police Department. They were in limbo for over a year as they worked
to create legislation to properly recognize their level of training and commitment to the
communities they serve. Congratulations to Chief Harmon, Chief Braxton and their staff
for their hard work in seeing this legislation through!
As always my door is open and I am available for any suggestions, concerns, or ideas you
have for the academy.
Yours in training,
Mike Harvey
Red Cross Blood Drive
RRCJA Fredericksburg - May 18, 2015
email [email protected] to sign up!
Page 2
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
RRCJA EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER
by: Mike Harvey
RRCJA Executive Director
[email protected]
The Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy Employee of the Quarter for the
first Quarter of 2015 is Coordinator Karen Wessel.
Coordinator Wessel is our Standards and Accreditation Coordinator and as such ensures our basic programs
are meeting all required state criteria and we as an academy are maintaining our records consistent with the
requirements of the state. During this quarter Coordinator Wessel not only continued to perform her regular
LE Basic #107
job duties, at her high level of proficiency, she also had to take over both
the jail and law enforcement basic programs in the middle of the class sessions when we experienced staffing shortages. Coordinator Wessel accepted
this tremendous workload without complaint and worked tirelessly to ensure all programs were maintained at
the same high level of training we all expect out of our basic programs. As this quarter comes to a close, Coordinator Wessel has begun to help train our new coordinators ensuring a seamless transition. Coordinator Wessel is an asset to the academy and all the agencies we serve!
Please join me in congratulating Coordinator Karen Wessel as the Employee of the Quarter for the first Quarter of 2015.
INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT – FREDERICKSBURG
by:
Tom Einwechter
RRCJA In-Service Coordinator
[email protected]
Virginia State Police Master Trooper Ricky C. Whindleton is the Division II CJIS/VCIN Representative. Rick started his career with the State Police in 1988 and worked as a road
Lt. Debbie Shepherd teaches CPR skills to
trooper in Spotsylvania County until 2004, when he moved to his current
position.
members
of JB 134.
Rick currently teaches all VCIN related in-service classes at the Fredericksburg campus of RRCJA and is a valuable resource whenever a VCIN question comes up.
We would like to thank Rick for the many years of professional, dedicated VCIN instruction he has provided for
our in-service program.
Support your local Academy!
L. E. #134 Practical Testing Dates:
Officer Survival
May 8
0900-1800
Patrol Techniques
April 27 and 28
1300-2200
Page 3
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT – MIDDLETOWN
by:
Bruce Coor
Basic Schools Coordinator Middletown
[email protected]
Captain Leonard Bauserman of the Winchester Police Department is not the kind of person to jump from one
thing to the other. Well, except for cars, but more about that later. Leonard is a lifelong Virginian who spent
his younger years in Alexandria before moving to Frederick County where he lives with his wife, Leslie and their
two boys Patrick and Thomas. He figured he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Virginia State
Police Trooper, but Winchester Police Department offered Leonard a job first, so there began his career in
1992 earning him the current title of the longest serving officer in the
department.
After a brief stint of midLE Basic
#107
nd
nights in patrol, Officer Bauserman was transferred to 2 Shift where he made Sergeant and Lieutenant. He
then became Captain in Administration, where he remains today.
During his tenure with WPD, Captain Bauserman has had his hands in many aspects of law enforcement including investigations, but his passion is teaching. He became a general instructor in 1997 and has taught a myriad of
classes at RRCJA Middletown in law enforcement basic, jail officer basic and in-service training. Captain Bauserman teaches others to teach and is known to many in the region as “the guy who taught me General Instructor”
or “the guy who taught me FTO.” When asked what he believes is a key factor to being a good instructor, he
replied, “Think outside of the box, find a need, learn it, and teach it.”
Now about the cars; Leonard has 16 of them on his farm (the
farm is another story.) When not working for WPD, teaching at
the academy, or working on the farm, Leonard is tinkering with
cars. Actually, it’s more like a vehicle rescue shelter. His most
recent venture is a 1940 Studebaker which he has been restoring
with his 16 year old son Patrick. “I was surprised to find out we
could get original parts in the original
packaging
Studebaker
Lt. Debbie
Shepherdfrom
teaches
CPR skills to
of JB
134. the Studebaker
which is still in business!” Patrickmembers
plans on
making
his primary ride before long which means Leonard will soon have
to jump to another project. After all, a guy has to have some
diversity in life.
LEGAL / CULTURAL DIVERSITY CLASSES
RRCJA FREDERICKSBURG CAMPUS
April 27, 2015
June 29, 2015
October 5, 2015
December 7, 2015
Page 4
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
RRCJA WELCOMES NEW COORDINATORS
by: Wayne Inabinet
RRCJA Assistant Director
[email protected]
The Academy would like to welcome Tom Vaclavicek as the new Coordinator for
the Law Enforcement Basic Class. Tom joins RRCJA after a twenty-six year law enforcement career with the Fairfax County Police Department. During his career,
Tom served primarily in patrol, but also spent time performing intelligence and
counter terrorism work. He served two years as a supervisor in the Fairfax Public
Safety Communications Center, and seventeen years as a patrol supervisor. Tom
LE Basic #107
also spent over twenty years as a law enforcement
instructor. He prepared and provided training for a wide range of agencies such as the local, state, and federal level.
After retiring from Fairfax as a Second Lieutenant, Tom spent a year and a half as an
instructor for the nation of Qatar, designing and presenting training intended to improve their law enforcement capabilities as part of their preparations for the World
Cup in 2022. He currently lives in Warrenton with his wife of twenty-two years Karen, and his two high school aged children Justin and Nicole. Please welcome Tom to
our Academy staff at [email protected]
The Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy welcomes Coordinator
Zachary Williams to the Fredericksburg Campus. Zack started his career as a
proud graduate of the first pre-employment class at RRCJA with Law Enforcement
Basic #116. After graduation, he worked as a deputy and sergeant for the King and
Queen County Sheriff’s Office. Zack will continue to serve as a member of their
Auxiliary program. Zack earned his general instructor certification with King and
Queen and also served as a FTO, a member of the special response team, and supervised the animal control division in addition to his duties as a patrol deputy. Before pursuing a career in law enforcement,Lt.Zack
atteaches
the University
of KenDebbiestudied
Shepherd
CPR skills to
members
of
JB
134.
tucky and obtained a BA in Communications from Virginia Tech in 2009. Zack will
be primarily responsible for the administration and management of the Jail Basic
Program. Please join me in welcoming Coordinator Williams at [email protected].
PICS FORMS
All PIC Forms are due to RRCJA Fredericksburg Office
within 60 days! DCJS will not accept them after the deadline.
Please email them to [email protected] instead of faxing!
Page 5
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
RRCJA MIDDLETOWN GETS NEW EMPLOYEE
by: Tommie Bower
RRCJA Assistant Director, Middletown
[email protected]
Tom Kelley
Clerical Assistant, Middletown
Tom began employment with RRCJA on January 21st. Before coming to RRCJA, Tom had thirty years of
professional experience with the Department of Defense. He was raised in Massachusetts and attended
the United States Military Academy at West Point NY from LE
1982-1986
where he earned a B.S. degree
Basic #107
in Engineering Management. From 1986-1994, he led and served in a variety of tactical armored and
cavalry units around the U.S. Tom was then selected to return to West Point to be on the military instruction faculty. He completed a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at one of the nations’ top
universities, then served as an instructor and course director for three years at West Point where he
helped educate and train several thousand future Army officers.
After graduating from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1999, Tom worked as a staff
officer in the Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate of the Army Headquarters in the Pentagon. In 2002,
he was picked to be a Military Policy Analyst for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. For the next
four years he represented the military on State Department led delegations involved in negotiating and
implementing multiple treaties and agreements around the world. Tom retired from active military duty
in September 2006 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
From 2006 thru 2012, he worked as a defense contractor and then a DoD civilian employee to assist
the Pentagon with multiple issue areas. One of his signature accomplishments was to help the Army
develop two in-service courses for military police units preparing for their mission to train the civilian
police forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the past few years, Tom has been volunteering in Frederick
County, first with the National Park Service at their visitor center in Middletown and then with Project
Literacy in Winchester, Virginia.
Lt. Debbie Shepherd teaches CPR skills to
members of JB 134.
MIDDLETOWN THANKS:
by: Tommie Bower
RRCJA Assistant Director, Middletown
[email protected]
Frederick County VA Public Schools, Mr John Lee and James Wood Middle School for donating three wrestling mats to the
Academy for Defensive Tactics.
Mrs. Sandra (Sam) Abbene, F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personnel Consultants, Inc. for donating several office desk units, chairs, and a
credenza to the Academy that enabled us to pay it forward to our member agencies.
Mr. Greg Hanes for his generous reduction in the price of a bar for patrol techniques /DUI-DUID practical testing.
Groves Harley Davidson for donating items for practical /role playing rooms.
Italian Touch for donating items for practical/role playing rooms
Patti Baggarly for donating items for practical/role playing room
Page 6
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
JAIL BASIC #177 GRADUATES
“Thank Heaven for 177”
by:
Monica Fesq
Coordinator’s Assistant
[email protected]
The recruits of Jail Basic # 177 began the Academy program on January 12, 2015, and graduated on March 25,
2015.
Sheriff Stanley Clarke, representing the Executive Board, spoke to the graduates. He told the class he wished
LE Basic #107
them a long, safe, enjoyable career and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Sergeant Martel Moore of Northern Neck Regional Jail was nominated as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
He reminded the class that they have only received Basic Training, and they should continue to seek more education and training in this career they have selected. Sgt. Moore gave the graduates 6 simple rules to follow:
Treat everyone as you want to be treated, don’t be complacent, don’t be afraid to ask for help, make sure to
laugh once a day, try your best not to take work home with you, and remember you are a professional jail officer.
Michael C. Harvey, RRCJA Director, and Zachary Williams, RRCJA Jail Basic Training Coordinator, presented
the graduates with their certificates and awards. Earning the Top Academic Achievement Award, was Mark D.
Redmond of Rappahannock Regional Jail. The Top Skills Achievement Award was earned by Stephen P. Hannaman of Rappahannock Regional Jail. The Top Overall Achievement Award was earned by Matthew T. Lemmiksoo of Rappahannock Regional Jail. Finally, the Charles E. Murray, Jr. Top Performance Award went to Mark
D. Redmond from Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Officer Camp of Rappahannock Regional Jail called his classmates to attention and they recited the Oath of
Honor. He reminded the class that they were strangers when they started, but are now part of the brother/
sisterhood of the thin blue line.
Lt. Debbie Shepherd teaches CPR skills to
members of JBduring
134. the Jail Basic Program.
A special thank you goes out to each of the agencies that supplied instructors
Thank you for your dedication and support to help make the Jail Basic Program a success and plant the seed to
help each individual become a better, safer, career-oriented officer. Thanks to all the Instructors, Staff, Superintendents, Training Officers, Chiefs and Sheriffs whose dedication and continued support help make the Jail Basic
Program a success.
Congratulations to each of the graduates.
Central Virginia Regional Jail
K. Blankenbaker
N. Fincham
R. Ramsey
J. Sparks
J. Warren
Fauquier Co. Sheriff’s Office
V. Breedlove
L. Jacobs
Northern Neck Regional Jail
K. Ballard
S. Campbell
W. Matthews, III
(JB 177 Continued on Page 7)
Page 7
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
(JB 177 Continued from Page 6)
Rappahannock Regional Jail
F. Afriyie
K. Camp, Jr.
S. Compton
K. D’Avignon
C. Fitzgerald
J. Hall
S. Hannaman
M. Lemmiksoo
J. Miller
B. Norris
N. Ramos
M. Redmond
K. Thompson
S. Waldron
LE Basic #107
Lt. Debbie Shepherd teaches CPR skills to
members of JB 134.
Page 8
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
COMMUNICATION BASIC #116 MIDDLETOWN GRADUATES
by: Dave Dailey
In-Service Coordinator, Middletown
[email protected]
Communications Basic training class # 116 began on December 8, 2014, at the Middletown campus. The class
was comprised of 15 communications students from a number of area Public Safety agencies. These 15 students
arrived at the academy as individual students not knowing what the next few days had in store for them. They
worked very hard learning the tools necessary for them to succeed as Communications Officers for their agencies. They were trained on the proper techniques and given the essential skills for so many different emergency
situations. These included handling difficult callers, medical emergencies, and understanding their crucial role as
LEthe
Basic
#107
a dispatcher during life and death situations. These individuals accepted
position
of Communications Officers
for their agencies, but they may not have fully comprehended the demands that come with this career choice.
The training these students received from our Communications Instructors was filled with experience and dedication. The training that was provided to these students came through our member agencies and through their
Communications Centers. Without the committed support of these agencies, the academy could not meet the
standard that is necessary to produce quality Communications Officers. I would like to thank each and every
one of the Communications Instructors that assisted in the Communications Basic Class # 116 for exceeding
the standards of professionalism and making this class a success.
On December 17, 2014, the following list of Communication Officers graduated from the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy in Middletown as proud professionals that are dedicated to serving their communities. They are the calming voice on the other end of the phone call or radio. No matter what desperate or
life threatening situation is presented to these Communication Officers, they have the proper tools and training
to handle it. There is no way to know for sure, the number of lives these professionals will save during their
careers. This class may have started out as individuals, but they ended up as a fine group of professionals working together for the same cause. Congratulations to these heroes and I wish each and every one of them success in the future.
COMMUNICATION BASIC #116
Elizabeth Brunson
Leo Burt
Dennis Cochran
Aaron Dawson
Sean Deem
Amy Dreyhaupt
Travis Lehman
Elicio Lopez
Eric Marsh
Hayley Miller
Emmie Quick
Nicholas Randazzo
Cody Riffle
Nisa Seekford
Brandon Smarr
Winchester Emergency Comms Center
Culpeper County Comm. E 911
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office
Clarke County Sheriff’s Office
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Culpeper County Comm. E 911
Front Royal Police Department
No. Va. Comm. College Police Dept.
Culpeper County Comm. E 911
Frederick Co. Dept of Public Safety Comm.
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office
Fort Belvoir Police Department
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office
Culpeper County Comm. E 911
Lt. Debbie Shepherd teaches CPR skills to
members of JB 134.
Page 9
RAPPAHANNOCK INFORMANT
COMMUNICATION BASIC #117 GRADUATES
by:
Monica Fesq
Coordinator’s Assistant
[email protected]
The recruits of Communications Officer Basic #117 began the Academy on February 2, 2015, representing 7
different agencies. They graduated on February 11, 2015.
During their tenure at the Academy, these men and women had to demonstrate their ability to perform various
tasks to include answering calls and dispatching fire, rescue and/or police.
LE Basic #107
Lauren Fallen of Stafford County Sheriff’s Office was the guest speaker at graduation. Michael C. Harvey, RRCJA
Director, and Monica Fesq, RRCJA Coordinator’s Assistant, presented the graduates with their certificates.
Palmer Allen, Academy Chaplain, gave the benediction at the ceremony.
A special thank you goes out to each of the agencies that supplied instructors during the Communications Officer Basic. Thank you for your dedication and support to help make the Communications Officer Basic Program a success.
Congratulations to each of the graduates.
Ft. Belvoir VA Police Dept.
A. Isaacsen
King George County Sheriff’s Office
M. Jett
Orange County Emergency Comm. Center
C. Frazier
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
B. McFarlane
Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
J. Bibens
C. Dillard
A. Smith
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office
C. Levendosky
Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office
L. Nash
Lt. Debbie Shepherd teaches CPR skills to
members of JB 134.