New Officer Joins Vienna Police Department

VIENNA, VA — The Vienna Police Department is welcoming a new officer who graduated from the 80th session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.

Officer Parker Stroh graduated from the criminal justice academy in April after a six-month training session. The Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy trains new and veteran officers from the towns of Vienna and Herndon, Fairfax County Police, the Sheriff's Office, and the Fairfax County Fire Marshal's office.

Before attending the academy, candidates must go through an application process with a background check, medical examination, polygraph test and various interviews. Candidates for the Vienna Police Department must be at least 21 by academy graduation, have a high school diploma or GED, be a U.S. citizen, have a driver's license with an excellent record, be in excellent physical condition and not use drugs or smoke. Candidates must also be able to work 12-hour rotating shifts. On average, about 2 percent of candidates for a police officer make it through hiring and attend the academy.

At the academy, police recruits are trained in all aspects of police procedures. The more than 920 hours of instruction include 320 hours of academic studies, 94 hours of firearms training, 84 hours of emergency vehicle operation, 110 hours of physical training, and 130 hours of defensive tactics training.

As Stroh joins the Vienna Police Department, he will be assigned a field training instructor to observe and guide him over 12 weeks. The field training instructor observes the officer in officer safety, traffic enforcement, interaction with residents, report writing, investigations of crimes, vehicular accidents and other duties.

The Vienna Police Department is made up of over 40 sworn officers and 11 civilian members.