With six graduates heading to places far and wide across South Jersey Ð like the Atlantic County and Cumberland County Sheriffs’ Departments, Mullica Township and the Joint Base Police Ð and seven graduating from the Alternate Route program, the Gloucester County Police Academy graduated its 39th Class after 20 weeks of intense training.

Two of those graduates come from Gloucester County itself. Officers Dominic R. Liberto and Eric M. Petroski herald from West Deptford and National Park, respectively.

Liberto was honored particularly when those in attendance were made aware that coming in as a cadet, he’d weighed 50 pounds more than he did the night of graduation.

“It’s a relief, it’s been a long 20 weeks,” Petroski said. “Day-in, day-out, waking up every morning, staying here until the sun goes down. It was something new for me. We have so many opportunities now. We could go anywhere we really want. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and finding a department that wants a good officer.”

Liberto said the ideals and morals taught to him during his tenure as a cadet helped him grow as an officer of the law and learn the facets of being more than just a rule enforcer Ð that it can be about compassion, understanding and upholding what is just.

“I think I’ll be coming away from this with a lot,” he said. “You learn a lot of things here, especially dedication and what it means to be a police officer. It’s a relief, but I also feel going forward I’m ready to go and prepared for this job ahead of me. We’d wake up in the morning thinking about the academy, all day you’re concentrating. You go home and you’re still thinking about it. This is honestly the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Chief Jeff Godfrey of the Greenwich Township Police Department was the keynote speaker for the event. He shared with the new officers a touching story of personal loss and how, in life, attitude can mean everything.

“(My daughter) was home for the weekend Ð as she usually was Ð working as a waitress,” Godfrey told the room. “She left the house that Sunday, Dec. 9, she was going to go to work and then return to the university for final exams the next morning. What we didn’t know at the time, when she left that afternoon three years ago today, it would be the last time I ever saw my daughter again.”

At 11:30 p.m. three years ago, Godfrey’s daughter failed to negotiate a turn in terrible weather conditions and struck a tree. She was not found until the following morning.

“I had over 25 years in, I could’ve walked away and retired,” he said. “I could’ve easily walked away and sat home. There were days I wanted to do just that … It’s about perception. It’s about your choice and the attitude that you want to embrace.”

The academy, which began in June, graduated its first class Wednesday night at the Owen Theatre witnessed by elected officials, fellow police officers, family and friends.

“We are here because these men and women have chosen to dedicate themselves to be public servants,” Conroe Mayor Webb Melder said. “We thank you and ask the Lord to put his hand on you to protect you and bless you.”

The academy’s first class trained in all aspects of law enforcement for 24 weeks at the FBI’s gun range in south Conroe.

“We’re going to teach them the basics and make sure they have the capability of being certified,” Sgt. Bob Berry said. “We stress a lot of hands on training, like in the mechanics of arrests, traffic stops, clearing a building.”

Instructors from all areas within the department gave the trainees instruction in the different aspects of law, including criminal procedure, penal code and health and safety codes.

The cadets also were exposed to physical agility, which included jogging and running.

“We’re trying to get these cadets both mentally and physically prepared to take the job,” Berry said.

The 12 officers include 10 men and one woman who were hired as patrol officers with the CPD when the academy started. An 11th male graduate will become a patrol officer with the South Houston Police Department.

“We have taken your everyday men and women and transferred them into incredible officers,” CPD Chief Philip Dupuis said. “You’re part of many first achievements. At no time has the CPD ever hired 11 officers at once.”

The 11 CPD officers passed their certification exam with 90 percent average on their first try, Dupuis said.

“I’m very proud of this accomplishment,” Dupuis said. “Remember your ethics and be honest and do what is right.”

For 35-year-old Officer Jason Davidson, of Conroe, the police academy offered a second chance at life.

“I started out in sales and was laid off from that job and found myself working for Olive Garden a a server,” Davidson said. “I always wanted to be a police officer and was drawn to it.”

Davidson said he was waiting tables and decided that now was as good a time to become an officer.

“This is something I wanted to do since I was a child,” Davidson said. “I applied (to the academy) and they blessed me with an opportunity and privilege to join.”

The officers, who were presented their badges and had them pinned by family members, will now face nine weeks of field training as they ride along with their training officers.

After the initial probation, the new officers will be released on the streets by themselves, but will be on continued probation for 10 additional months.

Officers also were awarded with class honors for best physical training, weapon training and overall students.

Instructors with the academy also were recognized by the CPD.

Jamie L. Bridges can be reached at jbridges@hcnonline.com.

During the academy, citizens will get a glimpse into the training and work of law enforcement. The instructors for the citizens police academy are local officers within the Murray Police Department. The class is an instructional and hands-on look into a police officer’s daily activity. Every Monday evening for eight weeks, citizens will explore a different topic of instruction, such as crime scene investigations, and will leave with a better understanding of law enforcement.

The requirements for the Citizens Police Academy are minimal. You must be 21 years or older, and candidates must either live or work in Murray. Also, due to the sensitive information being discussed, a minimal background check will conducted on those who apply. Anyone interested in participating in the class may get an application by visiting the MPD website, www.murrayky.gov/police/cpa.htm or contact Sgt. Tracy Guge at 762-1052 or 753-1621.

Last month, 63 new State Troopers, including two women, graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort.

That means 27 cadets dropped out of the class during the intensive 23-week training program.

Now, KSP is recruiting a new cadet class, with testing starting Monday at Eastern Kentucky University. But to be tested, your application must be on file at KSP headquarters by tomorrow.

Applicants must be 21, a U.S. citizen, have a good driving record, and have either some college experience, or a high school diploma and military or police experience.

Many Police Academies do not allow open enrollment, however some states require you to be certified before applying for a Police Officer position with a municipality.  Some police academies require that you are hired by a police agency and then they will send you to the academy.  Other jurisdictions will offer the police academy as a college course of study, and once completed you would then be able to apply to a police agency for consideration for hiring.  Check your local police academy standards in reference to this.

Education: Usually a Police Academy will require you to hold a High School Diploma or a GED equivalent.  Some police academies do require a 4 year college degree or 3 years of generalized work experience as well.

Physical Fitness: A Police Academy will usually require a physical fitness exam.  Where most police academies differ is what the physical fitness consists of.  Most police academies require a run, whether it is a 1 mile, 1 ½ mile run, or more, under a certain predetermined time, depending on sex and age.

Successful Completion of Course: The police academy will provide many tests or exams.  Successful completion of these exams is required.  There will usually be many written exams, based on law, criminal procedure law, etc.  There will also be the physical fitness test, usually an entrance and exit exam.  There will also be defensive tactics exams to show proficiency in self defense, defensive tactics and arrest techniques.  There may be other exams as well as required by each local academy.

Every Police Academy is different so that it is important to check the standards and requirements with each local police academy.