NOVA Police Support New Semester Faculty Training

With students about to return to our campuses, NOVA is actively preparing faculty and staff for another successful semester, and NOVA Police are assisting in these efforts. On January 10, Lt. John Weinstein discussed how to deal with difficult people and de-escalate toxic encounters to a PUP symposium. Weinstein discussed the many factors that may undermine effective communications, including stress, cultural and generational differences, mental health issues, contradictory messages from non-verbal cues and implicit biases. He described means of de-escalating verbal conflict such as controlling one’s ego, empathy and explanation. On January 11, Sgt. Tony Ong, Alexandria police supervisor, discussed mental health issues and responses at the Alexandria faculty convening. Finally, Sgt. Nicole Fisher, who supervises police operations on the Loudoun Campus, co-presented with Steven Mosley (Student Conduct) at the Loudoun Campus faculty convening on the respective responsibilities and perspectives of the police and the office of student conduct. Sgt. Fisher will also participate in a college-wide seminar to celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing on January 17.

NOVA Police have an active community outreach program and we are eager to bring these topics, and many more (e.g., gangs, alcohol abuse, Stop the Bleed, identity theft, self-defense considerations, crimes against women, and staying safe on the street) to your classroom, work group or external community group. To inquire about available topics (see the full list in the Public Safety Newsletter) or to schedule a presentation, please contact Lt. John Weinstein at JWeinstein@nvcc.edu.

Submitted by:
Lt. John Weinstein, NOVA PD, JWeinstein@nvcc.edu