Detective Douglas H. Comfort
A key component to VCPI’s ability to meet our mission of advancing public safety by providing unparalleled training and services for law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve is the team of professionals that provide instruction.  It is in recognition of that fact that VCPI extends our gratitude to our cadre of instructors and recognize one who has exemplified our commitment to excellence each year. 

It is with pleasure that we announce, Detective Douglas H. Comfort has earned the 2009 Virginia Center for Policing Innovation Instructor of the Year Award. Doug has been a sworn law enforcement officer for more than 30 years and shares his experience and knowledge of current trends through practical, classroom training.  Since 9/11, he has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Fairfax County Police Department and is responsible for the investigation of offenses related to domestic and international terrorism.  He has been assigned to various local, state and federal law enforcement agency groups specializing in specific criminal activity. 

Doug has over 25 years of experience in classroom instruction and teaches throughout the United States.  He has developed training programs for state and local sworn personnel directly associated with the identification of street level indicators of possible terrorist activity and the appropriate law enforcement response.  For VCPI, Detective Comfort offers the following courses: Counter-Terrorism for Patrol, Fraudulent Documents: Strategies for Detection and Investigation, Investigating Hate Groups and an Advanced Search Warrant Seminar.  His unique and comprehensive investigative experience coupled with his platform skills, have earned him excellent participant reviews.

 Listed below are some specific comments made by VCPI course participants regarding his instruction, demonstrating their value for his contributions: 

There is no one with the amount of knowledge that this instructor has.  

This is one of the best courses I have taken in 20 years of service.  Excellent instructor, visual aides and useful information - highly recommended.  

Doug has a wealth of knowledge and is very good at sharing it with others.  Great instructional technique and great information.  

In 2009, Doug instructed multiple courses for VCPI receiving an overall evaluation of 4.9 on a scale of 1-5. Additionally, VCPI has received numerous repeat training requests for his courses as agencies have indicated the training has immediate demonstrated impact.

Doug has also been a consultant and contributor to various publications on the subject of investigative techniques used to enhance law enforcement c