Staff & Board Members

Started off as an old West Virginia Country Boy with a dream of becoming a police officer. While attending Bluefield State College Criminal Justice Program I was given a "Great" opportunity to start my public service adventure with the Virginia Beach Police Department. Most of my career was spent working for the Town of Dublin, where I rose through the ranks and retired as the Dublin Police Department Chief in 2025.

During my 28 years in law enforcement, I continued to expand my knowledge. I received a significant amount of training, as well as instructing and teaching others. Through the positions that I have held, many great working relationships have been developed with state, local and federal agencies, military, Faith based communities, citizens and numerous citizens groups, other Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academies, and I am extremely proud of my work in furthering the help and assistance that can be given to individuals suffering from Mental Illness.

I am truly humbled and most honored by being appointed by all the Chiefs and Sheriffs on the Board of the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy to serve as their Director. I also want all who read this to know, that if you are a member agency of this academy or a non-member agency, If I can be of assistance in any way, shape or form, please contact me at the listed number or by email. I am excited to help lead the next generations of NRCJTA Students and keep expanding training knowledge for all.

Wes Ratcliff is a native of Pulaski County, graduating from Pulaski County High School in 2002. In 2004, he graduated from New River Community College with an Associates degree in Police Science. Wes was hired as a Police Officer with the Pulaski Police Department in January of 2006.

The first seven years at the Pulaski Police Department, Wes served in the Patrol Division working his way up as a patrol officer to Corporal and eventually to Acting Sergeant. While in the Patrol Division, Wes was a member of the Departments SWAT team, BIKE team, served as a Field Training Officer, and became a General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and TASER Instructor.

In 2014 Wes began serving in the Departments Investigations unit eventually being promoted to Detective Sergeant. In 2015, Wes graduated from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy located in Richmond, Va. While serving as a Detective with the Pulaski Police Department, Wes investigated crimes ranging from petit larceny to Capital Murder.

Wes was hired as Deputy Director of the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy in November of 2023 where he is still serving in that role.

Renee Worrell is the Administration Assistant for our academy. Prior to being employed with New River Criminal Justice Training Academy she was employed with the Town of Dublin as a Customer Service Clerk. Prior to that she was employed with Virginia Tech were she held an Office Manager position with the department of Recreational Sports and her last position at Tech was Cash Office Supervisor in Dining Services. While employed at Virginia Tech from 2006-2020, she gained many skills in office administrative work, payroll as well as hiring and training of office personnel. Here at the Academy she receives and processes all paperwork for new recruits, the continuing education paperwork for certified Law Enforcement, Jailors and Instructors. She assists with the graduation for each class as she completes the recruits files and certificates.