WFCM Needs Help
<bt>At this time of the year with so many families on vacation, regular donations to the newly named Ways & Means Homeless Prevention (formerly WFCM) food pantry runs low. The pantry is operating with about 2/3 less than normal, yet the number of neighbors in need continues to grow. Therefore, WFCM needs the community to help by providing food for those less fortunate. Please consider dropping by with a bag of groceries to help to re-stock the pantry. Donations are accepted at the back door, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thank you.
<sh>Police Compete in Nat'l Motorcycle Rodeo
<bt>The Fairfax County Police Department returned from the 2006 National Police Motorcycle Rodeo with several awards. On Thursday, Aug. 10, the motorcycle competition began in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The event, which concluded on Saturday, allowed motorcycle officers from police departments across the country to compete against each other and test their skills. The following officers won awards at the rodeo:
NOVICE:
PFC Chad Burrow — 1st Over-All, 1st Challenge Course
2nd Timed Courses
PFC Kevin Turney — 1st Individual Slow Ride
PFC Kevin Gantt — 2nd Individual Slow Ride
EXPERT:
MPO Patrick O’Hara — 1st Individual Slow Ride, 1st Over-All
2nd Challenge Course
PFC Scott Bates — 3rd Over-All, 2nd Timed Courses
2nd Individual Slow Ride 3rd Challenge Course
PFC Troy Knefel — 3rd Main Skills
PFC Kevin Palizzi — 1st Challenge Course
SGT Jeffrey Thompson — 3rd Timed Courses
MPO Kenny Zalaskus — 3rd Individual Slow Ride
PFC Brian Plaugher — 1st Timed Courses
2LT Mark Payton — 2nd Main Skills
Presidential Award:
1st MPO Patrick O’Hara
3rd PFC Scott Bates
Over-All Team:
2nd PFC Scott Bates and MPO Donald Cooke
3rd MPO Kenny Zalaskus and MPO Patrick O’Hara
Team Slow Ride:
1st MPO Kenny Zalaskus and MPO Patrick O’Hara
2nd PFC Brian Plaugher and PFC Robin Wyatt
3rd PFC Scott Bates and MPO Donald Cooke
Partner Ride:
1st MPO Kenny Zalaskus and MPO Patrick O’Hara
2nd PFC Scott Bates and MPO Donald Cooke
3rd PFC Brian Plaugher and PFC Robin Wyatt
<sh>Police Academy Graduates 47 Officers
<bt>The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy graduated 47 recruits on Aug. 16. Thirty-six of the graduates will work for the Fairfax County Police Department, nine will work for the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, one will work for the Town of Herndon Police Department and one will work for the Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, located at 14601 Lee Road in the Chantilly area, trains approximately 140 to 150 new law enforcement officers a year. The Criminal Justice Academy is the current training center for all law enforcement officers from the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and the town police departments of Herndon and Vienna. Animal wardens and fire marshals are also trained there.
The six-month basic recruit session is a non-residential training program. Recruits commute to the facility Monday through Friday for an eight-hour day, varying between day and evening hours. The curriculum includes Virginia law, report writing, criminal and accident investigation, warrant service, crime prevention, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, first aid and firearms skills.