Welcome to the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy Foundation

The Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy Foundation was established to create opportunities that allow law enforcement, dispatch, and jail officials to have the necessary training and support required to be effective for our community. These 2,000 members deserve training on the most current practices available, opportunities to put these classroom concepts into practice, and to have access to resources to better promote safety. As society continues to move forward with more technology, improved access to items that in the past were difficult to obtain, and less engagement with neighbors and the community, it is vital to prepare our members with the tools needed to address these issues.

The Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy (CSCJTA) serves 58 law enforcement agencies, jails, ECC’s across four State Police service regions that cover over 15,000 square miles.  In addition, the Academy serves local colleges and tourist attractions such as Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, James Madison University, Piedmont Virginia Community College, University of Virginia, Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Bridgewater Airpark, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, Lake Monticello, and Massanutten.  The largest department served has 167 officers and the smallest department has 1 officer. 

Several municipalities within the service area have small departments and limited access in internal training on specialized topics or unique equipment not routinely used. The centralized location of the Shenandoah Center not only enables all departments to access training in a variety of areas and topics, but also builds collaboration and support systems within the region.  In addition to providing classroom training, the CSCJTA has acquired an 11,000 square foot indoor range and driving course to extend its complement of curriculum available to law enforcement agencies across the Shenandoah Valley.  The Academy currently offers over 160 classes on average each year taught by an experienced cadre of instructors that employ a variety of techniques in teaching coursework and the range is used an average of 3 full days each week.

The goal for the Foundation is to provide additional training dollars, $50,000 per fiscal year.