Crime & Safety

McLean Police Officer of the Year, Studying for his PhD

Son of a Pennsylvania Police Chief

The same day Richard Bistline was born 38 years ago, his dad was sworn in as a police officer in their small Pennsylvania town.

 Richard Bistline, the second generation of his family to  serve and protect, was honored Wednesday night as the Police Officer of the Year for the McLean District. His dad is now a retired police chief.

Why does the son like working as a police officer?  “A lot of calls (to the police) are people who just want somebody to listen to them,” he said. ‘They have trouble with their husband and their children. Something is stolen that is precious to them and they call the police. My job is to give them advice and to make their lives better, said Bistline, holding his new plaque.

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For the 18th year in a row, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to the McLean District police  gathered to  honor an officer who protects us. The dinner gathering at the Harvest Moon on Route 50  included Dranesville Supervisor John Foust,  McLean Police Commander Capt. Steve Thompson, newly appointed Deputy Commander  Lt. Jeff Powell, Bob Holzman, security director of Madeira School,  Second Lt.  Matthew Doyle who nominated Officer Bistline and citizen-members of the CAC.

“The outstanding thing that Rick showed is his leadership and willingness to teach younger officers and that means a lot,”  CAC chair Bill Trapp told the audience of about 25.

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Bistline, a native of Pennsylvania, first worked as a police officer in Arizona then came to the Fairfax to move closer to home, he said. He joined the Fairfax department in 2000 and was assigned to the McLean District. He worked the midnight shift.

“He gives 100 percent every night he works that’s why he’s above the station average in arrests," Capt. Thompson said. "He’s a mentor and does squad training and takes officers under his wing.”

Perhaps that's why Bistline is now an instructor at the Fairfax County Police Academy. "I get a lot of value out of helping others develop into quality police officers. . . to be able to share my mistakes and they can do the job that much better."

In accepting his award Bistline mentioned that he finishing up his degree. That would be his PhD. in police leadership. He's just about to start on his dissertation about the qualities and styles of effective leadership by  rank-and-file officers.

Supervisor Foust was very impressed. "PhD., that's very good," he said in congratulating Bistline. "We have an outstanding police department and they are treasures of Fairfax County," Foust said.

When Officer Bistline was asked what he wanted to tell the McLean neighbors he said: "If you think a police officer has done a good job thank him and write a note to their commander. . . . Just thank you makes a great difference in our careers."

Thank You Officer Bistline.

 


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