Troy officer achieves investigation certification ♥

Published in the Courier-Tribune on August 6, 2011

by Hugh Martin

TROY – Lieutenant Virgil E. Higgins of the Troy Police Department has earned the Criminal Investigators Certificate Program award from the North Carolina Justice Academy.

According to Kenny Allen, Troy Chief of Police, the certificate is in recognition of Higgins’ completion of over 500 hours of specialized training in courses that include Death Investigation, Crime Scene Processing, Financial Crimes Investigation, Narcotics Investigation, Internet Crimes and Arson Investigation.

The Justice Academy states that the Criminal Investigation Certificate Program is designed to recognize sworn police officers of North Carolina who have completed appropriate training in order to better prepare themselves for the rigors and challenges of Law Enforcement criminal investigations. Professional investigators who seek out that best practice training stand out from the rest, and should be so recognized.

Higgins was recognized by Troy Mayor Roy Maness and the board of commissioners at their regular meeting August 1. Maness presented Higgins with a plaque that commemorates his achievement.

“The NC Justice Academy on average issues 20 to30 of these certificates per year and Lieutenant Higgins is only one of three officers to have ever received this award from the Troy Police Department,” Allen stated.

“To my knowledge there are no other law enforcement officers currently serving in Montgomery County that have been awarded the NC Justice Academy’s highest investigations training achievement.”

“I would like to express my appreciation to Mayor Maness and the commissioners of the Town of Troy,” Higgins said. “They are always willing to allow employees of the police department to further their careers by attending schools and other education opportunities.”

Lieutenant Higgins joined the Troy Police Department in October of 1995. He resides near Mount Gilead with his wife and children.