Sheriff's Community Academy

Explore the role of the Sheriff’s Office in Alexandria’s criminal justice system by participating in the Sheriff's Community Academy, an informative four-week experience on Saturday mornings.
Page updated on November 19, 2024 at 10:20 AM
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Sheriff's Community Academy

Uniformed Sheriff's Office commander speaking to six civilians inside the booking area of the jail

The Spring 2025 Sheriff's Community Academy begins March 1 and meets on four consecutive Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., ending on March 22.

To apply for the Spring 2025 session of the Sheriff's Community Academy, email Lieutenant Ignacio at victor.ignacio@alexandriava.gov. 

Classes are a combination of presentations and interactive activities. Class topics will include jail operations, judicial and special operations, civil process and warrant service, and inmate services and programs. Participants will tour the Adult Detention Center and the Alexandria Courthouse.

Classes are held Saturday mornings at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, 2003 Mill Road, in Alexandria.

The curriculum covers core elements that are essential for participants to gain a greater understanding of the Sheriff’s Office operations. As a result of their participation, Alexandrians will be able to better comprehend the vital and unique role that the Sheriff’s Office plays in the community's public safety. The Sheriff’s Office is simultaneously able to acquire a greater understanding of the views and concerns of the community through an enhanced relationship with the public.

The academy is offered free of charge. Participants must 21 years of age and live or work in the City. Criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants for final approval of acceptance.

Participants will explore Sheriff’s Office operations, engage with staff, take part in demonstrations, and tour the Adult Detention Center and Alexandria Courthouse. In the past, participants have learned about jail operations, court security, transportation of inmates, civil process, inmate classification and services, facility support, equipment, and training. Staff gave presentations and provided demonstrations and Community Academy members were encouraged to ask questions and participate in several hands-on activities, including pepperball gun training, operating Project Lifesaver tracking devices, and taking a polygraph examination.

For more information, email Lieutenant Ignacio at victor.ignacio@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5013. Visit City of Alexandria Academies to learn about other community academy opportunities.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact candra.callicott@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5115, Virginia Relay 711.

Sheriff's Office Community Academy Snapshots

Academy members learn about the role and operations of the Sheriff's Office by visiting the Detention Center and Courthouse, speaking with Office staff and participating in hands on activities.

Sheriff's Office commander in blue uniform giving tour to seven community members entering the jail
deputy discussing tracking technology with three civilians
civilian holding a training weapon in simulated firearms training
deputy demonstrating polygraph to small group of civilians
deputy showing civilian how to operate pepperball equipment with wooden silhouette in the background against brick wall
deputy with five civilians in courtroom
civilian sitting on a Sheriff's motorcycle with deputy in background
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Grid View Close Modal
Sheriff's Office commander in blue uniform giving tour to seven community members entering the jail
Captain Marybeth Plaskus escorts academy participants into the jail for a tour.
deputy discussing tracking technology with three civilians
Academy members learn about Project Lifesaver technology from Master Deputy Deon Eaddy, a certified technician and instructor.
civilian holding a training weapon in simulated firearms training
Community Academy participants learn about use of force and can take part in firearms simulation training.
deputy demonstrating polygraph to small group of civilians
With assistance from a volunteer from the Community Academy, Investigator Victor Ignacio demonstrates how a polygraph works.
deputy showing civilian how to operate pepperball equipment with wooden silhouette in the background against brick wall
A community academy member fires a pepperball gun under the guidance of Sergeant Mauck.
deputy with five civilians in courtroom
Senior commanders, like Chief Deputy Shelbert Williams, escort participants on tours of the courthouse where deputies explain their work as bailiffs and providing security throughout the courthouse.
civilian sitting on a Sheriff's motorcycle with deputy in background
Academy members can try out special equipment and see emergency vehicle operations, as demonstrated by veteran staff like Master Deputy Joseph Runquist.

Fall 2024 Class

Members of the Fall 2024 class are Steven Buttie, Scarlett Jiron, Christine Kandra, Avis Lewis, Kathleen Sander and James Williams.

Seven people, including the Sheriff and a lieutenant in blue uniforms, standing in front of a U.S. flag, Virginia flag and a gold sheriff's star on a wall

Spring 2024 Class

Members of the Fall 2024 class are Jamey Basham, Christine Garner, Angela Martin, Nigel Mease, Heather Price, Elissa Rumsey, Jessi Skaarvold and Truong Cam Tu.

eight civilians standing outside entrance to jail

Fall 2023 Class

Members of the Fall 2023 class are Judith Baer, Kenith Booker, Paul Bridge, Joao Paolo Costa, Audrey Cunningham, Rhea Joseph, Wenda Joseph, Gustavo Maristany, Vanessa Moore, Luis Morales, Abdullah Noorzad, Michael Radt, Madeline Ridgway, Joseph Swartz, Nechelle Terrell and Shelia Washington.

Sheriff standing with 13 Alexandrians who participated in community academy

Spring 2023 Class

Members of the Spring 2023 class are Jordan Bedford, Christine Tampio, Francisco Delgado, Matthew Laforest, Kathleen Lowy, Carol Maggio, Kira McFadden, Janice McLean, Salvador Rizzo, Michele Walz and Avanda Williams-White.

eleven civilians and deputies standing

Fall 2022 Class

Members of the Fall 2022 class are Karl Bach, Charlyne Braxton, Chia Chang, Dr. Evgenia Kontosthenous, Michael Kutner, Heather Lisy, Peri Kate Navarro, Amanda Tharpe, Maria Vilches and Shenna Williams.

several civilians and deputies standing outside sheriff's office

Fall 2019 Class

Members of the Fall 2019 class are Virginia “Ginny” Franco, Sean Gallagher, Jonathan Hersch, Patricia Hilgard, Celine Hopkins, Norman Lodato, Patrick “Pat” Malone, Jenny Mamani Gutierrez, Radiah McLean, Michael O’Day, Brittany Ripper, Diana Rodriguez, Claritza Santiago, Rebecca Siegal, Allison VanOcker, Stacey Walker and Laila Ziayee.

Sheriff's staff and community academy class members

Spring 2019 Class

Members of the Spring 2019 class are William “Keith” Davis, Joan de la Iglesia Barriga, Shawna Gary, Kadysia Gibson, Taylor Ham, Jennifer Johnson, Julie Keegan, Glenn Klaus, Susan Koscis, Dan Koslov, Joseph Moore, Brigitte Perrussot, Cullen Prall, Sylvia Salamanca, Gilan Shamir, Theresa Simpson, Ajashu Thomas, Israel Vinolas-Coppin, Thomas Walczykowski and Matthew Worner.

Sheriff's staff and community academy members

Fall 2018 Class

Members of the inaugural class are William Berridge, Anne Bradford, Jacqueline Bridges, Craig Bucher, Rosa Byrd, Charlene Campbell, Susan Coit, Shenise Foster, James Grenall, Arnela Hadzisulejmanovic, George Harrison, Stephen Johnson, Dexter Keyes, Sharon Negash, Ellen Nelson, Martha Payne, Colleen Stover, Timothy Walker, Steven Weachter, and Michael Wolfson.

Sheriff's staff and community academy class members