Four New Leesburg Police Officers Graduate the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy’s Basic Law Enforcement School

(Pictured L-R: Officer Donohue, Officer Wright, Officer Butynski, Officer Braven, and Chief Brown)

Leesburg, VA – Yesterday, four new Leesburg Police Officers graduated from the 146th Session of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy’s (NVCJTA) Basic Law Enforcement School. The NVCJTA, which is a nationally accredited law enforcement training academy, provides basic training for police officers and deputy sheriffs in compliance with the standards required by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Officers Phillip Braven, Alex Butynski, Josiah Donohue, and Abigail Wright successfully completed more than 700 hours of basic law enforcement training during the 20-week program, which covers a multitude of topics through a combination of lecture and practical exercises.

Officer Josiah Donohue, who was elected by his peers as the 146th session’s class president stated during his speech “Joining law enforcement, not in the best of times, but in the worst of times showcases just how honorable and noble these officers and deputies are for choosing this profession at a time like this.” In addition to class president, Officer Donohue tied for 1st place for this session’s Excellence in Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Award, the 1st place finisher for Excellence in Fitness Award, and placed 4th for the Excellence in Firearms Award.

“I am proud to welcome Officers Braven, Butynski, Donohue, and Wright to the LPD family and congratulate them on their completion and graduation from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. They are joining a great team of law enforcement professionals and I am confident they will serve our community well,” said Leesburg Chief of Police Gregory Brown.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Northern Virginia Community College’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria. Participating agencies of the NVCJTA include Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, City of Alexandria Police Department, City of Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax City Police Department, Falls Church Police Department, Falls Church Sheriff’s Office, George Mason University Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, City of Manassas Police Department, Manassas Park Police Department, Middleburg Police Department, Metro Transit Police Department, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police, Northern Virginia Community College Police Department, and the Town of Purcellville Police Department. On behalf of the men and women of Leesburg Police, congratulations to all of the Session 146 graduates!

Our new officers will now be placed in a structured 12-week field training program with seasoned field training officers. Upon successful completion of the field training program, they will each be certified for solo patrol. Please welcome our newest officers as you see them around town!