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Hunting Valley officer passes muster at FBI Academy
(by Sali McSherry - December 16, 2009)
Hunting Valley officer passes muster at FBI Academy
By SALI McSHERRY
A yellow brick in his office is a reminder for Hunting Valley Police Sgt. Tim DiPadova of his training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
The former special weapons and tactics team tactical commander for the Valley Enforcement Group recently completed the program to which he was nominated by Hunting Valley Police Chief David Maine.
Mr. DiPadova took home the yellow brick after completing the "Yellow Brick Road" final test of the fitness challenge that featured a 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail, including climbing over walls, running through creeks, jumping through simulated windows, crawling under barbed wire in muddy water and scaling rock faces with ropes. The course was built by the U.S. Marines.
Even with a second-degree torn calf muscle, Mr. DiPadova said he was glad he took the challenge. There aren't many opportunities in which one can concentrate on career-building skills and in which there's a physical-fitness component, he said.
The 45-year-old Chester resident said the FBI program focused on leadership skills for department operations. He said he participated in a wide range of leadership and specialized training, and shared ideas, techniques and experiences with others. Courses offered included law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism and terrorist mindsets, leadership development, communication and health and fitness.
"Supervision and management skills are learned, they are not assets one is inherently born with. The FBI National Academy is one of the premier programs in the world that helps to enhance one's ability to serve as a leader in a law-enforcement environment.
"Sgt. DiPadova has served admirably in his capacity as a sergeant with the Hunting Valley Police Department and his experience at the National Academy can only make him better," Mr. Maine said.
The best thing about the program, Mr. DiPadova said, was the ability to network with officers from around the United States and the world. Twenty-two countries were represented at the training he attended, he said.
His roommate was from Budapest. It's very different the way they do business in Budapest, he said. It's more structured -- a cross between military, law and rank structure. The Hungarian was there to get the flavor of American law enforcement, he said, and was very open-minded.
Mr. DiPadova had specialized training in investigations and statement analysis, he said, which was very useful. Officers learned how to read a statement made by a suspect, witness or victim, by looking at its structure, syntax, and word usage among other techniques as tools in helping to determine if the person is telling the truth.
Leadership classes he attended promoted "proactive community policing," he said. Under Mr. Maine's direction, Hunting Valley officers are highly visible in the community. Officers know the residents who live in the village of about 800, have one-on-one contact with them and know what's going on in the community. Traffic enforcement is another way for officers to remain visible, he said.
Mr. Maine said he believes strongly in continuing education and training, and he practices what he preaches. He and Hunting Valley's two sergeants have attended programs like the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. The programs have made them more effective leaders and better public servants to the community they serve, he said.
Mr. DiPadova said he always has had an interest in law enforcement. He learned a strong work ethic from his Italian father. In police work, "you never get the same day twice," he said. Things are constantly changing and now, with the advances in technology, it's faster than ever.
A high point in his career was initiating a program that enabled the formerly named Valley Enforcement Group to solicit for donations for the purchase of the new tactical vehicle that was unveiled last year, Mr. DiPadova said. It could not have happened without the big support of valley police chiefs. With so many small departments in the valley, the combined unit of Valley Enforcement Group is critically important to the area, regional in its approach, with capabilities in accident investigation, SWAT and other services.
Mr. DiPadova, who has been involved with martial arts for 20 years, is initiating a new program for Valley Enforcement Group members to learn self-defense techniques. The goal is to keep it in the realm of basic defense ... techniques that are easily remembered. Because, he said, unless you practice the techniques often, you lose it."
Mr. Maine said, "Tim goes above and beyond in fulfilling his responsibilities to this department, always willing to put in the extra effort, committing his own time to an issue if need be. He continues to be a resource for the Valley Enforcement Group. I look for great things from Tim as his career continues to unfold."
Mr. DiPadova served as Valley Enforcement Group tactical commander for five years and now is a consultant to the team. He is in his 23rd year as a law-enforcement officer, including 11 years with the Lake County Sheriff's Office. He graduated from Lakeland Community College's Police Academy in Kirtland.
Mr. DiPadova has three sons, 17, 13, and 4.
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