Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office holds 51st Basic Academy Class graduation
The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office today held its 51st Basic Academy Class graduation ceremony, recognizing nine deputy recruits’ successful completion of training. The graduation was conducted virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
Three basic academy class graduates have college degrees and several more are continuing their education. Several graduates come from various parts of the country, including Maine, Ohio and Manhattan in New York City. Many also have robust hobbies including woodworking, fishing, photography, surfing, weightlifting, traveling and running.
Sheriff Ken Stolle congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and thanked them for their commitment to protecting and serving Virginia Beach. He also welcomed the VBSO’s youngest graduates since changing the recruitment age to 18 in early 2021.
“I’m encouraged by the high caliber of the young men and women who have joined our team,” Sheriff Stolle said. “Public safety is a team effort, and I am incredibly proud of my deputies for stepping up to ensure the safety of our community.”
The 16-week Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office Basic Academy includes training in Virginia law, ethics, cultural diversity, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations and first aid. The graduates also completed rigorous physical fitness training and courses pertaining to the Sheriff’s Office various functions: Corrections, Court Transportation and Security, and Civil Process. They each successfully met the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services requirements for graduation and have earned their Basic Jailer and Civil Process certifications.
The deputies will be assigned to the Virginia Beach Correctional Center and bring the number of active, sworn Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office deputies to 405.
Any questions or requests for additional information from the news media may be directed to Toni Guagenti, Public Information Officer, at 757.373.5012.
