VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) today held its 57th Basic Academy Class graduation for the first time at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, recognizing 12 deputy recruits’ successful completion of training.
Family, friends and city leadership, including Mayor Bobby Dyer, attended the ceremony at the 31st Street Park as King Neptune loomed large. Virginia Beach Circuit Court Chief Judge James Clayton Lewis administered the oath of office. Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney delivered the keynote address.
“You help to keep our community safe and you also reinforce that bond between the community and law enforcement,” said Duhaney. “Today, when you take your oath to be a sheriff deputy, you are transitioning from a civilian to a law enforcement officer. You will be held to a higher standard, and you are expected to be a visible symbol of the city and all that it represents. You are now that hero that many of you idolized and who inspired you to pursue that gold star yourself. You are now looked upon and expected to be a leader in this great community.”
In another first, this Basic Academy Class also included the VBSO’s first Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge Program graduate, U.S. Navy veteran Jose Herrera. SkillBridge is a DOD program that provides private- and public-sector internships to active-duty military during their last 180 days of service. The program gives them the opportunity to develop new job skills and gain additional work experience to help them successfully transition into the civilian workforce. SkillBridge interns receive full military pay and benefits during their internship rather than being paid by the employer.
Herrera retired yesterday and started his full-time employment with the VBSO today, ensuring no gap in his employment, said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. Originally from Los Angeles, Herrera said he chose the SkillBridge Program, and particularly an internship with law enforcement, because he has worked with law enforcement agencies throughout the country at locations where he was stationed.
One third of the VBSO’s 57th Basic Academy Class graduates have college degrees and two come from VBSO families, with their fathers working at the sheriff’s office. They include prolific volunteers who donate their time to the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, Hearts & Hoofbeats, the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad and to coach high school softball.
Holcomb congratulated the graduates and imparted a few words of advice.
“As we sit here under the watchful eye of King Neptune with the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean landing on our beaches, we know that our city is home to 460,000 residents and plays host to 13.5 million visitors a year. It is our pleasure to put our city on full display. We understand that many people come here to vacation. We’re lucky to call this home, and these crime fighters seated here today will be a part of keeping Virginia Beach the safest large city of its size,” Holcomb said.
“What will be bestowed upon you as you raise your hand and take the oath of office and pledge your sworn duty to protect and serve is one of the most noble and courageous deeds of all, a declaration of all things courageous, righteous and selfless, with an unmistakable and unwavering clarity of purpose. What lies within the modern-day deputy sheriff? There are qualities of character to which very few will ever aspire and that will surely lead you to accomplish amazing deeds throughout your career,” added Holcomb. “Be brave, be bold, be fearless in this noble profession you have chosen and, along the way, don’t count the years, make the years count. Congratulations to each and every one of you. May you have a long and successful career and welcome to the ranks of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office.”
The 17-week VBSO Basic Academy includes training in Virginia law, arrest procedures, ethics, cultural diversity, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, first aid, crisis intervention (mental health) and more, spanning 80 classes and 500 hours of training. The graduates also complete rigorous physical fitness training and courses pertaining to the sheriff’s office’s core operations: Corrections, Court Transportation and Security, and Civil Process. They each successfully met the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services requirements for graduation and have earned their Basic Jailer, Court Security and Civil Process certifications.
The deputies will be assigned to the Virginia Beach Correctional Center and bring the number of active, sworn VBSO deputies to 397.
The graduation was live-streamed on Facebook and can be viewed at facebook.com/vbsheriffsoffice .
For information on joining the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, visit vbso.net/sworn-positions .
Media contact: Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti at tguagenti@vbso.net or 757-385-8446 or Strategic Consultant Kathy Hieatt at khieatt@vbso.net or 757-570-9123.