NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov, 540-338-7422
PURCELLVILLE POLICE SWEAR-IN NEWEST OFFICER
PURCELLVILLE, Va., June 15, 2020 — The Purcellville Police Department is pleased to announce the addition of their newest officer, Nelson Fernandez. Officer Fernandez graduated from the 144th session of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy (NVCJTA) on Monday, June 14th. A formal swearing-in ceremony was held later that afternoon at the Purcellville Town Hall in the Council Chambers. Members of the Purcellville Police Department, Town employees, Town Council, as well Officer Fernandez’s family, were in attendance for the ceremony.
The challenging six month academy program for police officers and sheriff deputies from the Northern Virginia area covered numerous law enforcement principles and procedures. The Basic Law Enforcement School is divided into four main modules including criminal investigation, legal, patrol, and skills sections. Academy recruits must meet proficiency standards in all four areas, as well as successfully complete all performance based training including First-aid, CPR, control tactics, firearms training, and driver training.
The NVCJTA participating agencies include the City of Alexandria Police Department, City of Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax City Police Department, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Manassas City Police Department, Manassas Park Police Department, Metro Transit Police Department, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department, and the Northern Virginia Community College Police Department.
Officer Fernandez has served as an Auxiliary Officer with the Fairfax County Police Department since 2008. In addition to his law enforcement volunteerism, he also served as a volunteer firefighter with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department. Officer Fernandez is also bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. Please join us in welcoming Officer Fernandez to our Department!
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of over 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for its green initiatives with most recently being the Tree City USA recipient for the 12th year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and is ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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