A group of newly trained police officers are prepared to serve local communities after graduating from the Lorain County Community College Police Academy during a ceremony Dec. 22.
The class of 11 graduates joins the 20-year history of the LCCC Police Academy.
In total, more than 720 graduates have completed the program since the academy began in 2002, according to the release.
LCCC is the No. 1 location for first responder training in Lorain County, including police officers, the release said.
The Police Academy is recognized statewide as a STAR Academy Training Center, the highest award for Ohio police academies who consistently exceed training standards.
The high standards of the academy lead to many cadets finding employment prior to completing the program, according to the release.
Eight cadets in the graduating class are already employed or have received conditional offers from local police departments.
The remaining cadets are completing interviews with area law enforcement agencies.
Cadet Devontae Bowens, 24 from Lorain, has received a conditional employment offer from Lorain Police Department, the release said.
For Bowens, the thought of serving his hometown makes the offer even more special.
“Becoming a police officer is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid,” Bowens said. “I’m glad I have the opportunity to give back to the community where I grew up.”
To help fund his academy training, Bowens received the Benjamin G. and Sarah Jane Norton Police Academy Scholarship.
Receiving scholarship support allowed him to focus on studying and being successful in the academy, he said.
As Bowens and the rest of the cadets move to the next phase of their law enforcement pathways, LCCC Police Academy Commander Richard Thomas assured them they are well prepared after completing the 24-week academy.
“I charge you now to go forward to serve your communities with passion and honor, to be consummate lifelong learners, to value compassion as much as you do valor, and to always, stay safe,” Thomas said.
This is Thomas’ final class as commander of the academy.
Duane Whitely, former chief of the Elyria Police Department, replaces Thomas as commander.
For more information about the LCCC Police Academy, visit www.lorainccc.edu/police. Applications are being accepted for academy training that begins in March.
