MP first to receive leadership award for civilian police academy in 17 years

1/9/2009 By Sgt. Judith Carver , Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va — For the first time in 17 years, a Marine attending the Prince William County’s Basic Law Enforcement Class was presented with the Chamber of Commerce Future Leader award.

Security Battalion patrol supervisor Sgt. Frank Dellacamera III was nominated by his 36 fellow classmates as the class president and distinguished himself as a future leader in the law enforcement community.

‘‘He was always involved in the community. He was always a leader,” said Frank Dellacamera of his son.

These life learned lessons were seen by fellow classmates during the course.

‘‘Dellacamera was very outgoing, wasn’t afraid to take charge and was very confident in his abilities,” said Prince William County Police Sgt. Drew Hunter, the basic training supervisor for the counties Criminal Justice Academy.

Two, 24-week classes are held every year and one quota is offered to the Marine Corps for each.

A letter is sent to Quantico’s Provost Marshal’s Office and they make a selection on the attendee, said Hunter.

Academic accreditation was the driving force for Dellacamera’s desire to take the course.

Recruits, as the police officers are called, are tested on fire arms, academics, practical scenarios. The course covers everything from Virginia state law and routine phone calls; anything that officers face when they hit the streets, said Hunter.

The students accomplish 698 hours of classroom instruction in six months.

It was tough getting back into a school environment; there were a lot of classes in the beginning and studying for tests, said Dellacamera. Prince William County is highly looked upon in the criminal justice community and is definitely a place to consider working for, should he choose to leave the Corps.

For anyone considering taking the course, Dellacamera has some words of advice. Be prepared physically to train and definitely don’t go to the course thinking that it’s going to be easy.

Ellie