Staff – Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy

Tim Tester started his law enforcement career in 1991 serving as a Deputy Sheriff, Patrolman, K-9 Officer, and Drug Task Force Officer. He joined the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy as a Training Coordinator in 2005 and later served as the Deputy Director. He was appointed as the Executive Director in 2020. Tim holds an A.A.S. in Police Science from Walters State Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University.

Doug Scales started his law enforcement career in 1998, serving as a Deputy Sheriff, Patrolman, and School Resource Officer. He joined the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy as a Training Coordinator in 2006 and has been the Deputy Director since 2020. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Bluefield University.

Judy Nash has been with the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy since 2000 and currently serves as the Office Manager and Registrar.

Bobby Nichols began his law enforcement career in 2000 and served as a Patrolman, K-9 Officer, and Detective with the Bristol Virginia Police Department. He joined the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy as a Training Coordinator in 2017. Bobby was appointed to serve as the Deputy Director in 2024.

Mike Martin began his corrections career in 2006 with the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, where he served as a Correctional Officer, Correctional Corporal, and PREA Coordinator. He became a Training Coordinator at the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy in 2019.

Darrell Dickenson began his law enforcement career in 2005, serving as a Jailor, Deputy Sheriff, Accreditation Manager, and Training Sergeant. He joined the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy as a Training Coordinator in 2020.

Melissa Parsons started her career as a Dispatcher in 1992 and held various roles, including Lead Dispatcher, Trainer, Supervisor, and E-911 Coordinator, before retiring in 2022. She joined the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training as the Dispatch Training Coordinator in 2020.

Wayne boasts a distinguished 28-year career in law enforcement, culminating as the Commander of the Training and Education Division for a mid-sized department in Florida.

Throughout his tenure, he has exemplified versatility, serving in multiple capacities including as a trainer, Field Training Officer (FTO), Polygraph Examiner, and adjunct instructor.

With over 25 years of instructional experience, Wayne joined the police training academy faculty in 2021. Committed to fostering leadership skills and advanced training methods, Wayne frequently conducts workshops across the nation. He possesses both an MBA and an MA in Criminal Justice, and his contributions to the field have earned him an induction into the National Society for Leadership and Success.

Tony Sullivan has 31 years of law enforcement experience in Virginia, with a diverse range of assignments from patrol to Chief of Police. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Old Dominion University, a graduate certificate from Virginia Tech in Local Government Management, and is a graduate of the University of Richmond’s Professional Executive Leadership School. He also holds the F.B.I. Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) Trilogy Award. Tony is a general instructor with specializations in defensive tactics, driver training, OC spray, and more, including collaboration with Hillsdale College to develop the Law Enforcement Constitution Course.

Wayne South retired from law enforcement after 28 years, where he served as the commander of the training and education division in a mid-sized department in Florida. He has over 25 years of experience as an instructor and has been teaching at the academy since 2021. Wayne holds an MBA and an MA in Criminal Justice and is a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success.

Throughout his tenure, he has exemplified versatility, serving in multiple capacities including as a trainer, Field Training Officer (FTO), Polygraph Examiner, and adjunct instructor.

Committed to fostering leadership skills and advanced training methods, Wayne frequently conducts workshops across the nation. He possesses both an MBA and an MA in Criminal Justice, and his contributions to the field have earned him an induction into the National Society for Leadership and Success.

Wayne boasts a distinguished 28-year career in law enforcement, culminating as the Commander of the Training and Education Division for a mid-sized department in Florida.

Throughout his tenure, he has exemplified versatility, serving in multiple capacities including as a trainer, Field Training Officer (FTO), Polygraph Examiner, and adjunct instructor.

With over 25 years of instructional experience, Wayne joined the police training academy faculty in 2021. Committed to fostering leadership skills and advanced training methods, Wayne frequently conducts workshops across the nation. He possesses both an MBA and an MA in Criminal Justice, and his contributions to the field have earned him an induction into the National Society for Leadership and Success.

Jeanette Loudy retired from the Bristol Virginia Police Department after 25 years of service, with roles including patrol, domestic violence and sexual assault investigations, and school resource officer. She has been a DCJS certified instructor for 22 years and is a professor of graduate level justice studies and law. Jeanette has a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law and Public Policy.

Justine South retired from the Gainesville Florida Police Department after 24 years, serving in Patrol, the Forensics Crime Unit, and as a Background Investigator. She joined the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training as an Adjunct Instructor in 2022 and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work.

Eric Ramey has been the Chaplain for the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy since 2020, while also serving as the Senior Pastor for Zion Hill Baptist Church in Radford, Virginia, for over 22 years. Additionally, he works full-time in the pharmaceutical industry and holds an M.B.A. from King University.

Our Staff at The Academy

Tim Tester

Bobby Nichols

Mike Martin

Darrell Dickenson

Melissa Parsons

Wayne South

Tony Sullivan

Dr. Jeanette Loudy

Justine South

Eric Ramey

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1595 Bonham Rd, Bristol, VA 24201