Arlington, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department welcomed 18 new officers on June 15, 2026, as Session 154 graduated from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. These officers took a solemn oath to serve and protect the Arlington community, marking a significant step in their year-long journey to becoming solo police officers. They will now proceed to the Department’s local and field training programs.
Chief Andy Penn expressed pride in the new members, saying, “The badges proudly pinned on their uniforms are a representation of the trust and authority granted to us by the Arlington Community. I am confident our newest members will continue our agency’s longstanding legacy of earning the community’s trust as they work to prevent and solve crime, maintain transportation safety and build lasting relationships in the community which is vital to ensuring public safety.”
Session 154 comprises 12 men and six women from ten different states. Sixteen officers hold higher education degrees, two are military veterans, and three are multilingual, speaking Spanish, Greek, and French. Several officers received special recognition, including Officer A. Correa as Class President, Officer G. Pieczynski for Excellence in Firearms, and Officers A. Sahm, C. Pocono, and G. Beck for Excellence in Human Performance. Officer Z. Adams earned the Excellence in Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Award.
The new officers completed over 800 hours of curriculum at the NVCJA, preparing them for the diverse challenges of law enforcement. Their next phase involves a 12-week Field Training Program, where they will apply their academy knowledge in real-world scenarios under the guidance of a Field Training Officer before beginning solo patrol. The Department continues to recruit qualified applicants, offering a starting salary of $90,012 and a hiring bonus up to $25,000.