An 8,400 square foot addition to the Roanoke Police Academy just off Peters Creek Road is home to the new Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy. The county police department, the county Sheriff’s office and the Western Virginia Regional Jail will also train their employees and recruits there. Ground was broken last winter and the project will be paid largely with federal and state asset forfeiture funds – the proceeds of assets taken from criminals that have been apprehended.
The county chipped in about $250,000 and Roanoke City contributed another $250,000 towards enlarging the parking lot – and its police recruits will start out training with Roanoke County officers jointly. That way everyone is on the same page and gets more comfortable with each other. It’s often noted that criminals don’t recognize boundaries between jurisdictions and in some cases the two departments wind up working together anyway. Having the two training facilities in the same building just makes that process easier said those gathered for a ribbon cutting on January 6.
City and county officials sang the praises of the joint facility and regional cooperation. “We’re much stronger together than we are apart,” said Roanoke County Board of Supervisors chairman Joe McNamara. “It’s been a long process [to the joint facility],” said McNamara, but when I was here a week or two ago … [I saw] they all learned together from the same instructors. They’re friends. I think it makes for a much stronger environment for everybody. We all live in one valley and its delightful to see the level of cooperation and how well people work together.”
Roanoke City vice mayor Dave Trinkle spoke on behalf of the city: “This venture is another example of teamwork between the city and Roanoke County. A true example of regionalism that will benefit all citizens.” Trinkle mentioned the Water Authority, the library systems and other regional efforts, also noting that city and county fire-EMS personnel already train together.
The academy will share instructors and “rely on each other’s expertise…to save taxpayer money … while allowing both academies to operate more efficiently,” Trinkle added. Officers in both jurisdictions will form “positive relationships. We are very excited about this enduring partnership.”
Even new Roanoke County Administrator Tom Gates had his turn at the podium, saying he was struck by the “collaborative spirit that so clearly exists between the city and the county.” Gates said his past career stops had shown that wasn’t always the case between neighboring jurisdictions. “[It’s] truly extraordinary.” Turf wars that give way to “collegial relationships” lead to “great things,” said Gates, who came to Roanoke County from the City of Alexandria. “Having the experience of their shared training as police officers will undoubtedly pay dividends.”
Roanoke County police Chief Howard Hall looks forward to the new arrangement. The county had been training officers previously at the Public Safety Building on Cove Road, a facility not really designed for that function. “[Trainees] didn’t have a home,” noted Hall, who was struck several years ago when he toured the area while applying for the chief’s position that the current Roanoke City training academy location “made the most sense. It seemed like it probably [was] the right thing to do.” Given the issues facing law enforcement today said Hall, “quality training” is a must.
The first time Hall met Roanoke City police chief Chris Perkins they talked about a joint facility. Two and a half years later it is now open. “In government time that’s pretty much [warp] speed,” joked Hall. “It took a little work … but we got it done. This is an important addition to public safety in the Roanoke Valley.” Training city and county cops together will pay dividends “for decades,” added Hall.
– Gene Marrano
