NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov
NEW PURCELLVILLE POLICE OFFICER HONORED AT NVCJTA GRADUATION
PURCELLVILLE, Va., December 19, 2022 — The Purcellville Police Department is pleased to announce that during today’s 147th session of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy (NVCJTA) graduation, their newly sworn in officer, Carl Benjamin Nett was presented the Director’s Award for Academic Excellence. The graduation ceremony took place in Alexandria, Virginia and included officers and deputies from 13 local agencies across Northern Virginia.
The Director’s Award for Academic Excellence is awarded by the Academy Director in recognition of outstanding academic achievement. Officer Nett was the sole graduate from the Basic Law Enforcement School selected to receive this award based on the highest overall academic score. In addition, one graduate from the Combined Basic Deputy Sherriff School was also selected.
The challenging six month academy program for police officers and sheriff deputies covered numerous law enforcement principals and procedures, including criminal investigation, legal, patrol, and practical skills. Major components of the performance-based training include first-aid, CPR, crisis intervention, control tactics, firearms training, and driver training. Participating agencies include the City of Alexandria Police Department, City of Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, City of Fairfax Police Department, George Mason University Police Department, Town of Leesburg Police Department, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, City of Manassas Police Department, City of Manassas Park Police Department, Metro Transit Police Department, Metro Washington Airports Authority Police Department, and the Northern Virginia Community College Police Department.
Officer Nett joins the Purcellville Police Department with over 20 years of national security and law enforcement experience. Officer Nett first started with the Presidential Protective Division of the U.S. Secret Service, graduating from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico and the Secret Service Training Academy in Beltsville, Maryland. He then supported the National Clandestine Service of the CIA for six years. In addition, Officer Nett spent ten years leading a Pentagon mission at the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
On Thursday, December 15th, Officer Nett along with his fellow graduate, Officer Belaal Khan were formally sworn in as Purcellville Police Department officers. Both officers will spend approximately three months in field training before released for solo patrol.
Please join the Purcellville Police Department in congratulating all of the 147th session NVCJTA graduates.
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives. The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was 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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