Building Trust Together: Warrenton Police Department and Fauquier Sheriff’s Office Joint Community Academy | Warrenton Lifestyle

Do you know law enforcement officers? Do you know what their jobs mean and why they handle situations the way they do?

Too many people form impressions of law enforcement through news and social media, and those impressions are often intimidating. Personal experiences tend to occur during stressful events such as traffic violations or knocks on the door.

The Warrenton Police Department (WPD) and Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) are working hard in a variety of ways to change this by building partnerships with the community. One of the outreach programs is the 2024 Joint Community Academy (JCA).

Taught by sworn law enforcement officers and civilian experts through lectures, demonstrations, tours, hands-on activities, and ride-along experiences, JCA is a place where community members can learn and get to know law enforcement officers in a relaxed classroom environment. .

“Participants have the opportunity to get to know each law enforcement officer as a person,” said Betty Compton, WPD Volunteer Coordinator. “While on duty, officers are focused on their job: public safety. Safe Classroom. The environment allows students to relax and share their experiences. There are jokes, there is laughter, and they verbally bounce back from each other. By interacting with participants, they gain a deeper understanding of the opinions and concerns of the community. It’s about building trust and understanding together.”

JCA is open and welcome to all members of the local Fauquier community over the age of 18. Compton suggested that the JCA may be of particular interest to business owners, religious leaders, board candidates, residents, college students, retirees, and anyone else. He wants to be active in the community and learn about different aspects of the police department and sheriff’s office.

Although this is not the first Community Academy (CA), it is the first co-coordinated by WPD and FCSO. This will be a unique opportunity for participants to meet staff from both organizations.

In addition to being JCA’s volunteer coordinator, Ms. Compton is also an alumnus of its predecessor, Citizen Academy, which FCSO hosted in 2019.

“I love contributing to the community. I believe that what you give is what you get back. I learned so much at Citizens Academy and had so much fun that I wanted to do more and volunteered to help with subsequent academies.” In 2021, the WPD Chief of Police asked me to establish WPD’s first Community Police Academy.”

Due to Ms. Compton’s hard work, she has been named Fauquier County Center District’s 2021 Citizen of the Year. Since then, she has helped other area law enforcement agencies establish similar academy programs.

Compton said one of the highlights of the entire program takes place at the FCSO Training Grounds during the final week before graduation. “That’s the icing on the cake,” she said. “After all the classes, that’s what ties it all together. You get to meet the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team, see a demonstration of her amazing K9 unit, and more.”

Another experience not to be missed is the ride-along experience. Professor Compton said: “We encourage students to participate in two ride-alongs, one during the day and one on a Friday or Saturday night, as the two experiences are very different.”

CA programs are making a difference. Law enforcement officers are aware that people are more likely to approach and engage in conversation. “They want people to know that they’re just normal people, and they’re just out there wearing a uniform and a badge to protect the community,” Compton said. ” he said.

Although there is no cost to the program, WPD and FCSO require all graduates to volunteer 10 hours per year at community events after graduation through the WPD Volunteer Program. It may seem like work, but after experiencing CA, the volunteers find it to be fun. Mr Compton said: This is an opportunity to work collaboratively with law enforcement. ”

She added, “You can make a difference in your community, but you can’t do anything without getting involved. Community Academy will help you make the change that matters to you.” Sho.”

Compton said, “One thing about going through Community Academy is that it makes you feel like you’re a part of law enforcement, both WPD and FCSO. That’s emotional to me.”