“They both attended the 147th basic class,” Rockel said, “which takes 16 weeks with 860 hours of intense study and training.”

Rockel said that Taylor and Marcum would begin working on Monday, Nov 7. This, Rockel said, is the last free weekend they’ll have for a while.

“I told them they had better enjoy it,” Rockel said, laughing. “Because you won’t get too many of those.”

The new officers were truly pushed to the limit, as not everyone can endure the course, Rockel said.

“They actually started out with 48 cadets and graduated only 38 of them.”

With these two new officers, the Chief said that a night foot-patrol would begin in Williamson next weekend, Nov. 11 and 12.

This foot-patrol would involve an officer walking the streets of the city and shaking on business doors, making sure they are locked. A card, stating an officer had been there at a certain time, would then be slid under the door.

Rockel said that if a break-in were to occur, there would be a timeframe now as to when it may have happened.

Not only will the foot-patrol be making sure doors are locked, it will also allow for an increased sense of security for people out late at night and possibly prevent crimes before they have a chance to occur.

Rockel said he is anxious for them to get to work so that the WPD can increase its patrols.

“I am very proud of both of them,” Rockel said. “As well as the whole department.”

It is nice to see new officers that are graduating the Police Academy.  Considering the cut backs all over, people often forget that officers retire and new officers need to hit the streets to take their place.  Congratulations Officer Brad Purdom.

Newport’s newest police officer graduates from training academy

The Newport Police Department’s newest officer, Brad Purdom, graduated from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Academy on Sept. 16 after his enrollment in Basic Police Class 326 on …

Publish Date: 09/30/2011 12:17

http://www.newportnewstimes.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=30303&page=72

They packed the Fire Training Center’s auditorium , congratulating graduates with cheers and applause as each took a certificate of graduation.

With Director Hugh Lennon doing the introductions, the police academy class graduated 16 police officers, including four for the Rockland Sheriff’s Department and, for the first time, graduates for Amtrak police.

Four people graduated as part of the Rockland Community College pre-employment program. If they get hired as officers, they would only be required to take defensive tactics and firearm training.

Sheriff’s Chief Louis Falco gave the graduates and audience an overview of policing, from crime scenes to patrols and terrorism on the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

“With an ever-changing world, we as first responders become the first line of defense in our villages, towns, counties and states and cannot afford to become complacent,” Falco said.

He told the audience that families sometimes take second place as law enforcement “is one of the most demanding and self-sacrificing professions in our society.”

Falco said there are many traits the graduates can’t be taught.

“This police academy and its staff has taught you a lot, but they can’t teach you integrity, good judgment, honor or how to be compassionate,” Falco said.

“Treat everyone the way you or one of your family members would want to be treated if the situation was reversed,” Falco said. “In our profession, you must give respect if you want to get respect.”

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe also provided some insight into law enforcement from what he’s observed over more than three decades. He said being a police officer is not for the faint of heart and requires courage.

He noted first responders rush into danger to save lives while people are running for safety.

With competing police academies in the region, Friday marked the first graduation in Rockland this year. The academy usually has two graduating classes. It has been accepting students who take the 24-week course through Rockland Community College. The cost is about $3,000.

Those interested can pick up an application at the Pompton Lakes Police Department, 25 Lenox Ave., Pompton Lakes. The Junior Police Academy is a week-long program being held July 11-15 at the Lenox School in Pompton Lakes. There is a $25 enrollment fee. Questions can be referred to School Resource Officer/Detective Jessica Ribitzki at 973-835-0400 or Sgt. James MacIntosh, Riverdale Police Department, at 973-835-0034.

The students attended class one night a week for 10 weeks, learning and participating in group discussions with the officers and other agency personnel to gain a better understanding about the police department’s function, daily operations, as well as crime prevention strategies.

Participants learned about traffic enforcement, crime scene investigation, search and seizure laws, crime prevention, neighborhood watch, recruitment and training, patrol procedures, communications, special projects and programs, and personal protective measures. As part of the course, citizens rode along with officers and attended a firing range demonstration and were allowed to shoot weapons.

Captain Jeff Mingledorff, event coordinator, said, “These experiences, along with the two-way communication that is established, furthers our efforts in improving the quality of life for residents and businesses throughout the city.”

Those interested in attending the next Citizen Police Academy should contact Capt. Mingledorff at 672-4903.

Thirty-one police officers from six departments in New Jersey and Alternate Route Trainees graduated after completing a 22-week training program at the Cape May County Police Academy.  The Academy is the only residential based training center in the state of New Jersey for municipal recruit training.

The class started with a physical fitness average of 80.3 percent and finished with an average of 91 percent. The class final academic average was 91.56 percent and their firearm average was 94.5 percent, according to county officials.  The class president is Alternate Route Recruit Thomas Pizillo who was elected by members of the class.  The class motto is, “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.”

Individual Awards are as follows:

High Academic Award: John Cercatore, Alternate Route – 96.25 percent, Vehicle Operations Award: Recruit Daniel R. Lang, Jr., Alternate Route – 28.58 sec., Physical Fitness Award:  Diego D. Pinheiro, Alternate Route – 100 percent, Firearms Award:  Officer Brady M. Carr, Middletown Township Dept.- 100 percent and Directors Award – Overall Class Ranking number 1:  Colin R. Lockwood, Alternate Route.

The annual Youth Police Academy for the 2011 season has been suspended and officials are blaming the economy.

Hosted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and with assistance from other area law enforcement agencies and Jefferson Davis Community College, the program is falling victim to tight budgets and a poor economy.

“For economic reasons we believe it is best to cancel the Youth Police Academy this year,” Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith said. “Every department that helps with this project is working under tight budget constraints. Due to the economic situation throughout the area in businesses and in various departments and agencies, we believe this is the right thing to do.”

The Youth Police Academy depends on donations to make the weeklong event possible. Due to the decline in the economy, obtaining the funds has become increasingly difficult, Smith said.

“We have to pinch every penny that we can,” Smith said. “Although we don’t write a check for the event it still costs money to be a part of the program. With fuel costs, the cost of personnel and other expenses, making time and personnel available for the program is a costly endeavor. We are already short-handed and we must cut where we can.”

Although the program will be suspended for the 2011 year, Smith said it is hoped the program will be held for youth in the area for 2012.

“We certainly hope to get the program back up and running next year,” Smith said. “We hope that by taking this year off that everyone involved will have an opportunity to reorganize and revamp some points of the program to make the Youth Police Academy bigger and better next year.”

In previous years agencies and departments involved in the Youth Police Academy have included the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, the Brewton Police Department, and Jefferson Davis Community College as main sponsors.

It is co-sponsored by Atmore Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, and East Brewton Police Department. There are many instructors from agencies such as the Alabama State Troopers, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, and others that have been involved in the 10-year long tradition.

“We would also like to thank all those who have made contributions in the previous years,” Smiths aid. “We hope to have that support in 2012.”

The informational meeting is at the City Hall Council Chambers, 707 W. Acequia Ave.

The 10-week course acquaints prospective volunteers with the inner workings of the Police Department while being trained to become a volunteer in police service.

Upon completion of the course and background investigation, members will be sworn in, ready to assist in essential, non-hazardous duties.

Applications are available through Jan. 31 at VPD offices.

Information: 713-4370.

The police recruits have completed 1,088 hours of police training over 27 weeks.

City of Amarillo Municipal Court Judge Donna Clayton will swear in the 11 new officers during the graduation ceremony. The new officers will be assigned to Uniform Division and will continue training while riding with a field-training officer for the next four months.

APD will have 307 officers when the new recruits are added. APD is conducting background investigations on applicants for the 80th Police Academy set to begin June 2.

The concept for the academy is to allow citizens to gain a better understanding of how law enforcement works, including traffic enforcement, K-9, motorcycle patrols, communication, use of force, criminal investigations and forensics.

A tour of the York County 911 Center in Springettsbury Township is also part of the curriculum.

The academy begins Jan. 25 and ends March 29. It will be 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the police department at 33 Oak Street, York Township.

To enroll, call the department between normal business hours at 741-1259. A short application must be completed, and the first 35 qualified applicants will be taken. Applicants must be 18 or older.