Pulaski County Criminal Justice Program

Teaching these kids Criminal Justice is the hardest job I have ever had … and inspiring them to be better than they’ve ever imagined is a monumental task….doing that through foot patrols on campus or taking notes in a classroom , it never looks like your typical gen ed class but Ill never stop showing up until they stop showing up 🌨️❄️💨🔥….

Criminal 2 Fall 2023
Pulaski County Circuit Court

Thanks to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office for helping us through the day and the Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Office with understanding the court processes.

“Can you help us find 2 students to volunteer in the parade tonight?”

Standby… let me ask my Criminal Justice Classes

Criminal Justice 1 has been hard at it! They’ve learned how to conduct a traffic stop, how to interact with a driver, and the proper protocol for radio traffic. This has been only been successful through the dedication of other criminal justice professionals who have carved time out of their busy schedules to lend their expertise. Much thanks to April Blankenship of Giles County SO and Corporal Hodge with her partner Sadie from Pulaski County SO.

This is Criminal Justice 2 conducting experiments involving common distractions encountered while operating a motor vehicle. The distractions ranged from auditory, visual, manual and eventually to cognitive. The tasks ranged from identifying a card from the deck of UNO and saying it aloud to holding a calculator while typing a mathematical equation provided by their fellow students. All these tasks were completed while the student being distracted had to complete a puzzle on paper.

This activity demonstrated how much attention is taken away from operating a motor vehicle while texting and driving.

Crash Investigation instruction resumes tomorrow!

Driving Under the Influence Investigation has started in Criminal 2. Students have been learning the different stages involved, and today they began their SFST portion of the investigation. They are learning the importance of providing clear and concise instructions, and how best to explain their expectations to the suspect. Even as Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, these students remain committed to their learning experience!!

Crime Scene Investigation…lifting latent prints. Once the prints were lifted, we identified the characteristics of those prints. Loops, ridges, deltas and more….

We were honored and humbled to be invited to present at the Vereran’s Day ceremony at New River Community College. Beautiful ceremony with an everlasting message. Thank you for your service, Veterans!

When a student in class has a Mom who is a biology teacher, you find ways to collaborate!!

The students in Criminal 1 are starting their adventure into Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation. What is a better way to teach on trace evidence than from the tools of a biology teacher ??!!

The student set up both microscopes provided by Mrs. Petzold and each one with a different hair sample. One from his own dog and one collected from the teacher 😂😂. We were able to distinguish the dog hair from the teacher’s hair after careful observation.

All students enjoyed this lab and also enjoyed learning how to prepare a slide to be viewed under a microscope!!!

Criminal 2’s soldier care packages have been delivered to the troops overseas!! These pictures cement the reason why we completed this project! Thank you for the various departments that supported us in this endeavor! Special thanks to PCHS DECA led by Mrs. Christy Underwood and PCHS Choir led by Mrs. Angela Talbert for their substantial contributions. Additionally thanks to those within the Highschool that contributed, and those in the community!

Criminal 1 working their way through a mock trial. Prosecutors are working hard at proving guilt, and Defense is trying to convince the jurors that reasonable doubt exists. Jury members are listening intently to determine a verdict. Verdict should be reached by the end of class.

Criminal Justice 2 class has been making some major moves!!

Incident Command System 100 class has been completed and tests taken to ensure the knowledge has been obtained! Certificates printed off and in hand to include in résumé’s!

Criminal 2 also had a class field trip to Radford University’s Criminal Justice Open House. The students met professors, met PCHS alumni currently in the program and were treated to a meal at Dalton’s Dining Hall!

Next up …learning how to write search warrant affidavits!!!

The Criminal 2 class of Pulaski County CTE received word that soldiers serving overseas were in need of goodies from home.

The soldiers are members of Ms. Anderson's younger brother's platoon that he was assigned to while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Unfortunately Spc Anderson was KIA through this deployment on 6/12/10, however SPC Anderson would always emphasize to his sister Ms. Anderson, how sending care packages to soldiers while overseas would serve as a morale booster .

In SPC Anderson's honor, The Pulaski County Criminal Justice Program collected donations from a variety of sources through the school and community. The donations collected allowed the Criminal 2 class to pack 75 boxes full of snacks and treats to send to those soldiers overseas.

On Saturday, October 1, 2022 Ms. Anderson was able to deliver those packages to Spc Anderson's mother in Harrisonburg who will complete the sending off of the packages through the appropriate channels!

Criminal 1 was taught how to perform traffic stops while immersed in the law enforcement module! The students not only gained information about what would be expected from them if they were to choose this profession, but they gained insight on what the anticipate if they are ever stopped by a law enforcement officer!

Pulaski County Criminal Justice Program updated their phone number.

Mock Court was held today in Criminal One classes. Successful day for both and the juries reached unanimous verdicts in both trials!!! This was one set of Prosecutors and one set of Defense Attorneys. The judge maintained order in the court, while the Bailiff assisted with the suspects and witnesses.

Criminal Justice Students in the Advanced Class have been learning how to write search warrant affidavits, learning how to testify in court proceedings and how to provide probable cause through a magistrate. The students were taught the new laws surrounding the ex*****on of search warrants, and applied those to their affidavit.

The success of the students in completing their affidavits through this lesson is due in large part to Brian Queen from the Christiansburg Police Department. He selflessly devoted a few hours to assisting the students through the application part of obtaining a search warrant, and then played the role of a magistrate in approving the affidavit for a legal search.

The lesson was completed by a visit by a Virginia State Tactical Team who was able to provide first hand knowledge and experience about how a search warrant is properly executed. The Troopers were clear about their dedication to safety of others and self through the ex*****on of search warrants. These two outstanding troopers even stuck around to provide Criminal 1 students with a lesson on what their jobs as Tactical Team members may be like, and provide a powerpoint about the different calls they may be summoned to!

One of the most engaging lessons to date!!

After a week and a half of classroom instruction on the Use of Force Continuum used by Law Enforcement, Criminal 1 classes were provided supplemental information from Guest Instructor from Pulaski County Sheriff's Office Sergeant David Cressell.

Sergeant Cressell spoke to each class about the fundamentals of Use of Force and the techniques used by Law Enforcement. Sergeant Cressel focused on Supreme Court Case Law, and prior training and experience.

His insight on the importance of clear communication in de-escalation tactics, and making split second decisions proved to be pivotal in the students understanding the complexities that exist in the Criminal Justice System.

The entire Criminal Justice Program at Pulaski County High School-CTE would like to extend their gratitude to Sergeant David Cressel for making time to come speak with us about this crucial and important topic!

The success of the Criminal Justice Program in the Career and Technical Education Building at Pulaski County High School is largely due to professionals taking the time out of their busy schedules to teach students their own specialized skills. This week while learning how to conduct safe and professional traffic stops, Ms. Anderson requested the help from one of the best dispatchers in the NRV April Blankenship. She was able to bridge the gap between law enforcement officers and dispatchers. April explained that for an officer to be safe on a traffic stop, the dispatcher has to be given clear and concise information. The students used the information that she taught to become even more proficient in radio etiquette, and how to relay information to those who are tasked with keeping them safe! Thank you April for you time, wisdom and humor! Pulaski County's Criminal Justice students are better today for the lessons you taught yesterday!! Giles County Sheriff's Office