WCSO, RPD NEWS RELEASE
Yesterday 40 law enforcement recruits graduated from the Regional Law Enforcement Academy.
The graduating class is made up of 20 for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, 19 for the Reno Police Department and one for the Pyramid Lake Tribal Police Department.
To successfully complete the academy, recruits were tested physically and academically and demonstrated proficiency through practical exercises. Their classes included constitutional law, criminal and civil law, search and seizure, weaponless defense, emergency vehicle operation and weapon handling.
Additionally, the recruits had to pass the Nevada Peace Officers’ Standards and Training exam, which consists of approximately 400 questions, and Nevada POST physical fitness requirements, which consist of a 14-inch vertical jump, a 19.5 seconds complete agility run, 30 sit-ups, 23 push-ups, a 68 seconds 300 meter sprint and a 1.5-mile run in 16:57 minutes.
“Even in these tough economic times, it’s wonderful that the Reno Police Department is going to have 19 new men and women become part of our organization,” advised Reno Police Chief Steve Pitts. “After graduation, they will complete approximately 16 weeks in our Police Training Officer (PTO) Program.”
The PTO model was developed by the Reno Police Department and is a national model for field training. It emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving while incorporating contemporary methods of adult education.
“This is an exciting day, not just for the Sheriff’s Office, but for our entire community,” Washoe County Undersheriff Todd Vinger said. “We welcome 20 new deputies to our organization. Each deputy enhances our ability to partner with our community, reducing crime, increasing public safety and awareness providing for the overall well-being of the region we serve.”
