Our Instructors

Wayne Handley

Wayne Handley is a 24-year law enforcement veteran currently serving as the Chief of Police for the City of Buena Vista, Virginia. Prior to his service with the Buena Vista Police Department, Chief Handley served 20 years with the Norfolk Police Department (NPD) in Norfolk, VA where he retired as a Captain. During his tenure with the NPD, he served in multiple capacities in field operations, investigative services, and administrative services. His collateral duties at the NPD included polygraph examiner and supervisor, hostage/crisis negotiator and supervisor, and training instructor. Following his service with the Norfolk Police Department, Chief Handley served 3 years with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office serving as the Chief of Staff where he was responsible for strategic planning and overseeing day-to-day operations.

Chief Handley was awarded the Top Cop award twice: once for investigation of gangrelated homicides that led to a significant number of arrests and convictions and once for the development of the NPD’s Crisis Intervention Team training program. Prior to his service with the City of Norfolk, he spent 5 years as a Nationally Registered EMT – Paramedic and an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor and was also honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps after a successful tour of duty from 1990-1995

Chief Handley’s formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Chief Handley also holds a Ph.D. in mental health education and supervision from Old Dominion University. Additionally, he has lectured both nationally and internationally on the topics of trauma and resiliency in mental health counseling as well as vicarious traumatization in law enforcement.