The Town of Tazewell

Police Department

Accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission on August 24, 2006     In August of 2006 the Tazewell Police Department went through an assessment conducted by Virginia’s Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The program is run by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, which is composed of the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the  Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The goal of accreditation is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth through the delivery of services; to promote cooperation among all components in the criminal justice system; to insure the appropriate level of training for law enforcement personnel; and to promote public confidence in law enforcement.     On August 24th, after a successful assessment, Ms. Hayes and Chief Hieatt went before the Professional Standards Commission were the commission voted to give them Accredited status.     There are currently over 50 accredited agencies in Virginia and over 100 more agencies in the process. Law enforcement executives that choose to have their agencies accredited under this voluntary program will have examined all aspects of their operation. The Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition (VALEAC) is an organization composed of law enforcement personnel directly or indirectly involved in Virginia law enforcement accreditation activities. Membership is by  agency and can be applied for by contacting the VALEAC Treasurer. Agencies pursuing accredited status through the VLEPSC process are highly encouraged to participate in the VALEAC programs. VALEAC also conducts quarterly meeting and an annual Spring training conference. Assessors for the VLEPSC program are drawn from the Coalition, and receive formal training through this group. VALEAC maintains an interactive web site that can be accessed by invitation only. For information on the web page, contact VLEPSC staff at the Department of Criminal Justice Services.   2008 Valeac Conferance Top

TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

The Tazewell Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy is designed for citizens of the Town of Tazewell and surrounding areas who desire a better understanding of law enforcement activities in their community. To some citizens, it may frequently appear that police officers are not doing their job or are exceeding their boundaries of authority. In the past, citizens have simply seen a uniform, usually behind a windshield or at the side of a stopped vehicle, now they will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the person behind the badge in a friendly setting. The program provides students with a better understanding of the issues and responsibilities facing law enforcement officers and how they approach various situations and problems. The Officers cannot always be aware of current situations in all areas of the community without input from community members. This program gives the officers an opportunity to learn more about specific needs from neighborhood residents. The objective of the Citizen Police Academy is not to train an individual to be a Police Officer, but rather to produce informed citizens.

Potential candidates for the Citizen Police Academy must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum age: 21 years of age.
• Live and work in the town of Tazewell or surrounding areas
• No felony convictions or charges
• No misdemeanor arrests within one year of application

Note: Because of the sensitive nature of law enforcement work, a background investigation will be completed for each applicant. This will include criminal history, driver license status, and warrant check.

Any requirement may be waived or modified upon review and approval of the Chief of Police.

The Tazewell Police Department is excited to offer their 3rd Citizen Police Academy. Class will begin on March 25th at 6 pm at the Town of Tazewell. Classes will continue on each Thursday night until June 3rd. This academy is for anyone who has ever wondered about what police work is like or had questions about the everyday procedures of their law enforcement officials including patrol, drug enforcement, courts, probation, and corrections.

The Academy provides community members with an inside look at local law enforcement and allows citizens to meet and talk with all the members of the department. While taking the classes, citizens will be introduced to a variety of topics such as an in-depth look at the criminal justice system, forensics, patrol procedures, narcotics, self-defense, corrections, traffic enforcement, sex offender laws, and criminal procedures.

The eleven-week Academy program is designed to give citizens an overview of the police department's function and operational procedures. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional Police Academy; however, the weekly sessions are not designed to train the participant as a police officer, but to allow participants to be more informed about police procedures.

Academy classes are taught by Chief Hieatt and all of the members of the Tazewell Police Department. Chief Hieatt is an Instructor at the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Bristol, and is an instructor at Southwest Virginia Community College. Throughout the courses he will have different members of the department teaching in areas that they have expertise at along with guest speakers from other agencies. Throughout the course, participants will also have the opportunity to attend firearms training, tours of the county's 911 center and regional jail, and have the opportunity to actually ride-along with an officer on regular patrol duty.

The Citizen Police Academy is not a training class, but is an exciting information class, a behind- the-scenes look at the Tazewell Police Department. Anyone wanting information on joining this free course can contact the Tazewell Police Department at 276-988-2503. Applications are currently available at the department and individuals will also have the opportunity to apply for college credit through Southwest Virginia Community College for attending the academy.

The Tazewell Police Department is excited to offer this program and looks forward to presenting it to the citizens of Tazewell.

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Our Officers

Recently the Tazewell Police Department applied for and was awarded a one-time special fund through the Department of Criminal Justice.  The Department requested this fund to purchase a KidPrint ID computer system.  

The KidPrint ID program provides parents with a card made of durable plastic that the parent can carry at all times. The cards help keep children safe by allowing local police departments to have a child's thumbprint, vital information, and current picture on file and by educating parents on child safety.   The ID cards allow for rapid response in the event of a lost or kidnapped child.   It is our department's goal to use the KidPrint IDs not only with children but with the elderly living within the community.

Before receiving this one-time special fund, the Tazewell Police Department did not have such a program in effect. By implementing this program, our department will be able to take a more proactive step in crime prevention.

If you want the KID ID program for an event call the Police Department at 988-2503.

Richlands ********** Tazewell **********Bluefield

Three of Tazewell County's Towns have combined forces to deal with large scale emergencies. Police officers from Richlands, Tazewell, and Bluefield make up the Municipal Emergency Response Team.

The Richlands Police Department has run an emergency team for over three years. They have now offered their experience and training to the other two towns to form a 15 member team. This give either of the three towns a quick responding force of men to assist with various types of emergencies.

The team is prepared to respond to various emergencies including everything from a hostage situation  to a large fire or flood.

This tab of history is dedicated to
Mary Safewright.

Mary worked at the Tazewell Police Department for 26 years as a Dispatcher, Receptionist, Mentor, and Friend. She was the first secretary the police department had and took charge through many tough times by serving as the Tazewell Police Department's Acting Chief.

 

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Tazewell's Chief of Police a look back.

 

 

On May 13, 2005 Jack Sargent's name was added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington DC. Jack Sargent served in the United States Navy during World War II and joined the Tazewell Police Department in 1960.
In the early morning hours of April 11 1967 Officer Sargent was called to the Frog Level area of Tazewell to assist a Deputy Sheriff. The Deputy had caught two individuals involved in a breaking and entering and needed help in apprehending them. One of the suspects fled the scene and Officer Sargent pursued him. After catching him, the man pulled a knife from his sleeve and stabbed Officer Sargent in the chest and stomach. He again fled on foot leaving Sargent wounded. 

Officer Sargent was rushed to the hospital and underwent two surgies. However the damage was to extensive and on June 3, 1967, at the age of 39, he died from complications from the stabbing. He was survived by his wife and three young children. 

The officers at the Tazewell Police Department want to pay tribute to Jack Sargent, a man who was willing to walk into danger and risk his life each night so that the people in his community could feel safe and secure in their homes. May this brave man, who wore his badge so proudly never be forgotten.

The Town of Tazewell and the Tazewell County Public Schools have worked together to provide a School Resource Officer for Tazewell High School and Tazewell Middle School. The officers assigned to these schools is given specialized training to include specialization in drug recognition, training in crisis management in schools, search and seizure, and school law. The officers also teach law enforcement related education.

The proactive and effective School Resource Officer Program is one component of the partnership that commits public safety personnel to the safety and security of the school community. The central mission of the law enforcement–educator partnership is student success. When students succeed, the entire community succeeds. Student success contributes to community safety: students who experience success and make positive contributions within their schools become productive citizens in the larger community. Our School Resource Officers have become a very important part of the schools. They not only have become a resource for students, but for teachers and parents as well.

Our School Resource Officer has become a very important part of the school. He not only has become a resource for students, but for teachers and parents as well. The School Resource Officer also spends a great deal of their time working with other crime prevention and community programs such as, Class Action, Amber Alert, Substance Abuse Prevention, CADRE, and more.

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