Sheriff’s Office Partnership Provides Training to New Recruits at West Valley

WEST VALLEY, N.Y. – EM’s West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) recently held a graduation ceremony for six security police officers who completed a seven-week course through a unique partnership with the local sheriff’s office.

Normally, the officers take the course at DOE’s National Training Center (NTC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, in 2021 the WVDP management team — which consisted of representatives from EM, its cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV), and security subcontractor Paragon Energy — developed a plan for the officers to be trained by instructors from Paragon and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office using sheriff’s office facilities. The training plan was approved by the NTC.

West Valley chose the course through the sheriff’s office again this year. Six new recruits at West Valley, and one from EM’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, completed the training, which included firearm qualifications, defensive tactics, use of force, first aid and combat casualty care, improvised explosive device and bomb training, vehicle stops, DOE tactical doctrine, physical fitness, and other required courses of study.

The partnership continues to provide quality training that meets NTC standards and requirements, while saving taxpayers money, according to WVDP officials.

“We are especially proud of your successful completion of the seven-week protective force training course that challenged both your physical and mental capabilities,” Jennifer Dundas, assistant director of the West Valley Office of Technical Services, told the new security police officers.

The six West Valley officers who completed the course had previously worked as unarmed security officers at the site.

“Through your training, you now have greater capabilities as a security police officer graduate than you did before,” said John Rendall, CHBWV president and general manager. “I hope that every day is a boring day, but you know that you are well prepared if the day comes when it is not.”

Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Jason Dry said the recruits handled the course admirably and with professionalism.

“I feel safer as an officer of the law knowing that these new recruits are available to protect the site and people in the surrounding communities,” Dry said.

Dave Schuman, CHBWV safeguards and security manager, said it was important for the West Valley management team to recognize the graduates for completing the training, and to show their families gratitude for their efforts.

“This training pushed these recruits both mentally and physically, and we applaud them for their commitment and perseverance,” Schuman said.

Darren Boone, CHBWV Environment, Safety, Health and Quality manager, provided closing remarks at the graduation ceremony.

“If you were not touched by this graduation ceremony, you weren’t listening. We can pretend that we know what these recruits went through, but in the end, we can only imagine what it was like to sacrifice so much so that you can put yourself in harm’s way to protect others,” Boone said. “There are many things that threaten our safety and security; but knowing you are trained, prepared and ready makes us all feel safer. For that, I am truly grateful.”

-Contributor: Joseph Pillittere