MANSFIELD, PA— Graduation ceremonies for the 32nd Mansfield University Municipal Police Academy were held on October 9. The Act 120 Academy Training Program is a required 754-hour course to obtain certification to be a municipal police officer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The following cadets were members of the graduating class and are now eligible to be certified as municipal police officers in Pennsylvania: William D. Badger (Trout Run), Robert R. Baker, III (Milton), Tyler T. Bierly (Waterville), Damon K. H. Cole (Wellsboro), Michael LaManna (Sayre), Nikolai Lopatofsky (Towanda), Alexander C. Medeiros (East Brunswick, NJ), Jose M. Sanchez, Jr. (Mansfield), Dalton J. Spencer (Milan), Ronald L.Warren (Mansfield) and Jared A. White (Coudersport).
Spencer was presented with the award for proficiency in firearms. Warren took driving proficiency honors and earned the high academic award. Cole won the physical training award.
Retired Pennsylvania State Trooper Scott Henry was the guest speaker.
Henry told the graduates that have the ability to take away someone’s freedom when they make an arrest but they must never take away a person’s pride. He reminded them to thank their families for their support and to stay safe so that they can return to their families after each shift.
Class Representative Ronald Warren spoke on behalf of the graduates.
Mansfield University President Fran Hendricks, assisted by Academy Director Christine Shegan, presented diplomas to the graduates.
Hendricks and Shegan also presented a plaque to Tioga County Commissioners Roger Bunn, Erick Coolidge and Mark Hamilton to commemorate their support of the Academy. The plaque will be on permanent display in Academy instructional classroom.
The Commissioners were instrumental in keeping the Academy in the region when a prior grant used to fund Academy operations was no longer available. Recognizing the need for a regional Academy to service Tioga County and other counties north of Interstate 80, the Commissioners issued a $100,000 grant funded through ACT 13 natural gas impact fees.
The graduates began the 22-week Academy Training Program on May 19, 2015. The required curriculum included training in laws and procedures, motor vehicle law and collision investigation, criminal investigation, crisis management, emergency vehicle operations, physical training, first aid and CPR, defensive tactics and firearms.
To learn more about the Mansfield University Municipal Police Academy, go to mansfield.edu/police-academy/