The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) congratulate the following agencies on their accreditation awards received at the September 8, 2011 Commission meeting held in the Town of Herndon:

• James Madison University Police Department - Initial Award
• Warren Co. Sheriff's Office - 2nd award
• York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office - 3rd award
• Gloucester Co. Sheriff's Office - Initial award
• Henry Co. Sheriff's Office - Initial award

TOTAL AGENCIES ACCREDITED: 85

In other business:

• the Commission revised their appeals process
• the Commission defined the authority of the DCJS Program Manager
• the Commission tabled a file management proposal to accomodate agencies maintaining dual accreditation through VLEPSC and CALEA
• Commissioner Roche requested a change to the assessment process as it relates to reporting areas of non-occurrence. The Program Manager will implement this change and report back to the Commission.
• Commissioner Summers (Herndon PD) announced his retirement. The Commission and DCJS thank Chief Summers for his service to the Commission since 2000. The VACP is expected to name his replacement later this month.
• the Commission clarified the Newport News Sheriff's Office eligibility date to reapply to the VLEPSC as June 2, 2012. 
• the Commission extended the accreditation status of the Chesterfield Co. PD until the next regular Commission meeting. The agency was unable to be assessed due to power outages caused by Hurricane Irene. The program manager is in the process of rescheduling the assessment.

Next Meeting:

November 17, 2011 - Williamsburg, Virginia

The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) congratulate the following agencies on their accreditation awards received at the June 16, 2011 Commission meeting held in New Kent County:

• Mecklenburg Co. Sheriff's Office - Initial Award
• Danville Police Department - 4th award
• New Kent Co. Sheriff's Office - 3rd award
• Bristol Sheriff's Office - 2nd award
• Augusta Co. Sheriff's Office - 3rd award

The Commission recognized the following former Commission members for their service to the Commission:

• New Kent Co. Sheriff F.W. "Wakie" Howard, Jr. - a founding member - service from 1993-2011. Sheriff Howard was the last founding member serving on the Commission.
• Division of Capitol Police Chief Kimberly Lettner on her retirement. Chief Lettner served VLEPSC from 2010-2011
• Accomack Co. Sheriff Larry Giddens, Sr. on his retirement. Sheriff Giddens served VLEPSC from 2009-2011 and was also active previously as an accreditation manager and assessor.

The Commission welcomed two new Board members:

• Sheriff C.O. Balderson - Westmoreland Co. Sheriff's Office
• Sheriff Eric A. Atkins - City of Salem Sheriff's Office

The Commission also honored Capt. Robert "Bobby" Mawyer - Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, as the recipient of the distinguised 2011 Executive Board Award.

Each year the Commission recognizes one of their many dedicated and professional volunteers who give their time and themselves to staffing the many VLEPSC and Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition (VALEAC) Committees, Subcommittees and serve as assessors and team leaders to ensure the important business of State Accreditation is accomplished.

Captain Mawyer has been involved in state accreditation for well over 6 years. He currently serves as the Treasurer for VALEAC and has been very active in trying to provide quality training to members of VALEAC through conference planning. He has been very active on mock assessments and has completed eight (8) official assessments, with one of those as team leader.

The Accreditation program does not routinely utilize assessors from agencies that are not VLEPSC accredited, but Capt. Mawyer has always demonstrated his dedication to the VLEPSC process through the years and is always willing to lend a hand to assist others seeking accreditation. He truly believes in the professionalization of law enforcement. His knowledge of our processes and standards is equaled to that of many of our seasoned assessors.

In other business:

• the Commission heard a presentation from Mr. Tom Cleator from the Virginia Crime Commission that focused on recent legislation regarding In-Person/Photographic lineups.
• the Commission took action on a change to the VLEPSC Process and Procedures that govern agencies that reenter the program after their accredited status has being revoked, expired or withdrawn. This change no longer mandates that the above agencies conduct mock assessments, as previously required.

Next Meeting:

September 8, 2011 - Herndon, Virginia

Sergeant Michael D. Wilhelm was announced as the city's newest police chief today by the city manager.

 Memo from Mr. Mike Hamp, City Manager, City of Waynesboro:

 I am pleased to announce Michael Wilhelm as the Chief of Police for the City of Waynesboro. Sergeant Wilhelm has   served in the Waynesboro Police Department since 1995 achieving promotion to Corporal in 2000 and Sergeant in 2004.

 Sergeant Wilhelm’s service is marked by initiative and accomplishment and includes work in patrol, investigations, special weapons and tactics, and Departmental accreditation.

 “I have confidence in Chief Wilhelm’s leadership abilities, critical thinking skills and expressed desire to maximize available departmental resources for the benefit of the community. Mike is eager to establish a unifying vision for the department, and establish a proactive approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and overall service delivery to the community. He is a goal-oriented individual and will apply that commitment in his leadership and management style.”

 The recruitment for the position drew nearly 80 applications from more than 21 states. Nine candidates were selected for interviews and four individuals were identified as finalists for the position. Each of the candidates interviewed possessed impressive qualifications.

The appointment is effective at 11:30 AM, May 2, 2011.