The Newport News Police Department is holding its largest Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy since its first class in 2009.
The class of 42 includes six recruits who read, write and speak Spanish fluently. This surpasses Chief of Police Steve Drew’s goal of 10 percent of NNPD recruits able to communicate with the city’s Spanish speaking population. Recruits start training today, July 24.
The new class of recruits come from a wide-range of backgrounds. Chief Drew said he thinks many of the recruits chose NNPD because of the department’s commitment to community engagement.
“When I interview new recruits, I’m not only looking for people who would make good law enforcement officers, but I’m looking for people who are committed to their community in all ways,” Chief Drew said. “When I ask why they choose the Newport News Police Department it is quite frequently because they are familiar with NNPD’s various community initiatives.”
The NNPD Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy is being held at NNPD Headquarters on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). If you are interested in attending the academy and becoming a Newport News police officer, visit nnva.gov/recruit or call (757) 928-4150.