THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 19, 1994 TAG: 9410180125
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG GOLDFARB, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Pride and honor took front row seats last Friday night, as 27 men and women graduated from the Virginia Beach Police Department's Recruit Academy.
In ceremonies before a packed auditorium at Landstown Middle School, one-by-one the new officers briskly stepped to the stage to receive certificates and congratula-tions.
``It's going to be difficult for you to maintain a normal life,'' Police Chief Charles R. Wall told the graduates. ``But there's no more rewarding career. I don't ever want to see the luster come off those shields.''
Having just completed 23 weeks of academy training, the officers will hit the streets for a ``probationary'' status.
``All we've given them is the basic knowledge,'' Wall said after the ceremonies. ``They've not had the opportunity yet to actually practice that knowledge. So, for a minimum of the next 13 weeks, they will go out and practice - with training officers with them at all times. Only after that do we turn them loose so they can actually go out and respond to calls on their own.''
Wall said that the intense mental and physical training each officer receives is imperative, not only for their personal safety, but also for the community's welfare. Low overall citywide crime figures are good, he said, but that does not lessen the real danger for his officers, or the public.
``We have a good record, but if you're a victim of crime, you really don't care if it's 1 or 101, if you're that victim,'' Wall said. ``There are still problems, and these people are going to go out into a more violent society.''
Guest speaker for the night was Virginia Attorney General James S. Gilmore III, who told the new officers that their chosen occupation would be fraught with frustration and peril, and that their most effective crime-fighting weapon is their attitude.
``You are the visible symbols of the rule of law. Some of your decisions are going to be second-guessed. But don't take the criticism personally. It goes with the territory,'' Gilmore told the academy's 19th graduating class.
New Officer Vincent H. Lassiter, 25, called it one of the proudest moments of his life.
``This is what I've always wanted to do since I was very small,'' said Lassiter, who is from Newport News. ``I like to help people when they need help. I think this will be a tough job, but I'm not scared. I'm looking forward to it.''
Officer Roger Miller, 22, spent four years in the Navy serving with its military police.
Even though he agrees with others that police work is becoming more risky, he said that most people still respect cops.
``I think it's getting more dangerous, but I think people do respect police officers. The community support in Virginia Beach is outstanding.'' by CNB