The Danville Police Department now has six new officers following their badge pinning ceremony last week and the Option 6 Academy graduation ceremony from the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy (PRCJTA) Thursday, Dec. 12, at the New College Institute in Martinsville.
Officers Latorya N. Banks, Daniel J. Brannock, Douglas E. Cassell, Joshua A. Craddock, Matthew B. Williams, and Jonathan A. Wyatt all completed the Option 6 Academy this fall.
The Option 6 Academy is an abbreviated academy for those with prior criminal justice experience. It was not only the first of its kind held by the PRCJTA, but also the first such academy to be held in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Brannock earned the Academic Leader award with an overall academic average of 97.27%. It was noted how difficult an accomplishment this was to achieve due to roughly 26 weeks of information being condensed into 12 weeks of instruction. He also was presented with the President’s Award for his willingness to lead and serve.
During Thursday’s ceremony, Brannock on behalf of the academy presented Assistant Chief David Whitley with the Instructor of the Session award for his dedication and servitude to the academy. The instructor who is selected for this award is done so by those who complete the academy.
Last week, the new officers took the oath of office and were presented with their badges during a badge ceremony at 1 Community Way.