New Dumfries police officers sworn in

Two new police officers who will serve Dumfries were sworn in Tuesday night during the town’s regular council meeting.

Dumfries Police Chief Rebecca Edwards read the following remarks prior to the swearing in ceremony:

Sergeant Heather R. Lloyd

Sergeant Lloyd was raised by her parents in Spotsylvania County. She graduated from Courtland High School in 1999. Before she graduated, she enlisted in the Army National Guard; she completed Military Basic Training in the fall of 1999, and a two month Military Leadership training course in 2003.

She served with the rank of Specialist, and performed duties with her specialty in nutrition. She served active duty from October 2001 through March 2002 in the National Capitol Region, following the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States. She also served active duty for one year in 2003/2004 and was assigned at the Pentagon. She was honorably discharged in February 2007.

While serving in the Army National Guard, and shortly after graduating from high school, she began her pursuit of a law enforcement career by working as a security guard for the Fredericksburg Auto Auction for about five years; then as an officer for Aquia Harbour. In December 2005, she began her law enforcement career when she became a police officer for the City of Fredericksburg Police Department.

While serving with the Fredericksburg Police Department, she attained the distinction of becoming a Master Police Officer through experience, exceptional performance, and by attaining and maintaining certifications and skills beyond those required. She served as a Community Police Officer where she interacted with residents of an assigned community and worked with them to resolve issues and problems.

In addition to Sergeant Lloyd’s required training, she has achieved many advanced training certifications, most of which focus on community policing. Some of her certifications include: Field Training Officer, General Instructor, Police Cyclist, Crisis Intervention, Basic Crime Prevention, Crime Prevention Specialist, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), and Residential/Small Business Assessment and Report Writing. Sergeant Lloyd utilizes her instructor certification to train police officer recruits in basic academy classes at the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy.

During her background investigation, everyone we spoke with commented she would be missed, and that she would be an asset and great addition to our agency. She was described as a hard worker, knowledgeable, and very professional.

We are very fortunate Sergeant Lloyd chose our agency to continue her law enforcement career and know she will be a valuable, positive asset to the Police Department and citizens of the Town.

Officer Matthew D. Arnsparger

Officer Arnsparger was raised with an older sister by their parents in Marion, Penn. He graduated from Chambersburg Area High School in 1997. That fall he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served until the fall of 2001, when he voluntarily separated service and was Honorably Discharged. He specialized as a mechanic and served as a Main Battle Tank Repairer/Technician.

Officer Arnsparger also served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 2004 to 2007 as a Counter Intelligence Agent.

Officer Arnsparger has approximately eight years of experience working in different areas of local government social services departments. He has experience working as an Income Maintenance Case Worker, Economic Services Caseworker, Client Benefit Specialist, and a Program Director for an organization that worked with at-risk youth, and youth who attended an alternative school program. Work in these areas required him to interact on a daily basis with a variety of persons who were facing a variety of life challenges.

Through working in these areas he learned and developed skills such as interviewing persons individually as well as in group settings, the ability to gather and analyze facts and information accurately, and the ability to correctly document gathered information. He also learned and developed his communications ability, both verbal and written.

During Officer Arnsparger’s background investigation, everyone we spoke with recommended him for the position of police officer with our agency. Persons we spoke with who had known him for some time said he has always wanted to become a police officer and thinks he would be very good as he is outgoing, friendly, and community minded.