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August 2024 VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certifications Awarded

The VACP today recognized nineteen Virginia law enforcement executives with the designation of VACP Certified Law Enforcement Chief Executive or Command Executive.

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) today recognized nineteen Virginia law enforcement executives with the designation of VACP Certified Law Enforcement Executive. 
 
The VACP strives to promote the professional development and highest standards of executive and management level personnel of law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia. With that mission in mind, the VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certification Program encourages police executives to attain and maintain established benchmarks of accomplishment to achieve a recommended standard for police leadership within the state of Virginia. 

Participation in the Certification Program is completely voluntary. Those who choose to seek VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certification do so to demonstrate to peers, supervisors, and their community that they have put in the extra effort to develop themselves not only as an experienced law enforcement professional, but also as a leader in their agency and in their community. Since February 2023, we've awarded 34 Chief Executive Certifications and 61 Command Executive Certifications.

There are two levels of law enforcement certification available for Virginia public safety leaders:  
  • Certified Chief Executive Officer – for the currently-appointed chief or commanding officer of a Virginia law enforcement agency.
  • Certified Command Executive Officer  – for a law enforcement command officer who serves in an executive or upper management position; or, for chiefs who do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for Certified Chief Executive.
Applicants must meet ALL eligibility requirements in the program for initial certification, which includes being a member of the VACP or VACLEA in good standing, tenure, formal educational requirements, professional development training, and service on boards and committees. Certification is for 3 years, and participants must meet specific requirements during those 3 years in order to remain active in the program and re-certify. 
 
Congratulations to the following law enforcement executives for achieving their certifications!

 
VACP Certified Law Enforcement Chief Executive Officers:

Certified August 2024
Chief Robert B. Fincher, VCLEE-CEO (Martinsville PD)
Chief Brian F. Layton, VCLEE-CEO (Fredericksburg PD)
Chief Mark L. Jamison, VCLEE-CEO (James City County PD)*
Chief Stephen Jenkins, VCLEE-CEO (Portsmouth PD)*
Chief Jonathan Gary Shenk, VCLEE-CEO (Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport PD)

* -- Denotes upgrade from previous Command Executive Certification.
 
 
VACP Certified Law Enforcement Command Executive Officers:

Certified August 2024
Capt. Carol D. Adams, VCLEE-CO (Petersburg Bureau of Police)
Capt. Courtney Ballantine, VCLEE-CO (Alexandria PD)
Lt. Col. Douglas Wayne Barker, VCLEE-CO (Henrico Co. Division of Police
Capt. James Michael Bridgeman, VCLEE-CO (Alexandria PD)
Capt. David L. Burghart, VCLEE-CO (Prince William Co. PD)
Lt. Col. Edward Franklin Carpenter, Jr., VCLEE-CO (Chesterfield Co. PD)
Dep. Chief Robert E. Cottrell, VCLEE-CO (College of William & Mary PD)
Capt.Ronald Brian Lecarpentier, VCLEE-CO (Hanover Co. Sheriff's Office)
Deputy Chief Betsy Chilton Mason, VCLEE-CO (Fredericksburg PD)
Major Darryl E. Milligan, VCLEE-CO (Bristol PD)
Captain Jerry H. Newcomb, VCLEE-CO (Alexandria PD)
Lt. Jimmy Pearce, VCLEE-CO (Prince William Co. PD)
Asst. Chief Henry Steve Richardson, Jr., VCLEE-CO (Danville PD)
Captain David Matthew Smith, VCLEE-CO (Prince William Co. PD)
 


The VACP Law Enforcement Executive Certification Program is open for applications. See www.vachiefs.org/certification or contact Erin Schrad, VACP Communications Manager, at erin@vachiefs.org.

FUTURE VACP CONFERENCE DATES:

Winter Conferences
February 5-7, 2025
February 4-6, 2026
Location for all: Hilton Short Pump (Henrico County)
 
100th Annual
August 24-27, 2025

Location: Williamsburg Lodge

101st Annual
August 30 – September 2, 2026

Location: Hotel Roanoke