FCPD Launches New Academy Class, Eclipsing Previous April Record

Fairfax, VA – During a time when police staffing levels and applications for police officer candidates are at historic lows across the country, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is incentivizing a record number of applicants and hiring qualified recruits who are excited to join the department.

Last week, Chief Kevin Davis welcomed 59 new recruits starting their first day at the FCPD Criminal Justice Academy. Session 85 is one of the largest academy classes in over 10 years, surpassing the previous record-breaking numbers of Session 84.

To counteract the hiring challenges facing police departments across the nation, FCPD conducted an overhaul of our recruiting and retention programs by streamlining the recruiting process, without changing hiring standards, to ensure we attract the best candidates.

For sworn officers, FCPD implemented a retention action plan that addresses morale, motivation, and preferences to identify actionable concerns to retain talent. We also developed a “WellFit” program for sworn officers and incoming recruits. This program consists of professional strength & conditioning coaches, nutritionists, physical therapists, and other wellness professionals who provide officers with health and wellness training through the academy and throughout their career.

Additionally, diversity is a priority at FCPD, and Session 85 is among the most diverse academy classes in the department’s history. In October 2021, FCPD joined over 100 other agencies in signing the 30×30 pledge – aiming to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by the year 2030. Of the 59 new recruits in this class, 13 (22%) are women.

Additionally, the recruits of Session 85 bring valuable education and language fluency skills to the department. Over two thirds of the recruits (67.8%) have earned a higher education degree, and nearly one third (35.6%) are fluent in multiple languages.

This class also consists of 14 recruits (23.7%) who have served in the military and 23 recruits (39%) who are residents of Fairfax County. These measures of diversity, among others, are representative of the great strides FCPD has made in ensuring that the recruits hired by the department are representative of the community they serve.

The FCPD Academy lasts 25 weeks and includes basic instruction in the procedures, techniques, and principles of law enforcement, incident report writing, criminal law, traffic enforcement, and first aid. All officers also receive implicit and generational bias training. This training is designed to help officers build trust and positive relationships within their communities and is a crucial part of how FCPD keeps Fairfax County safe.

Considering a career in law enforcement? Look no further than Virginia’s municipal largest police department. If you’re interested in learning more about FCPD and joining our ranks, please visit JoinFCPD.com for more information.