Thirty-nine Montgomery County Community College Municipal Police Academy cadets began their careers of service and protection recently, following the program’s graduation ceremony.

Of the graduating class members, 24 cadets were sponsored by area police departments coming into the Academy. Of the remaining 15, 10 were hired or received conditional offers upon completion of the program. Since 1973, the Municipal Police Academy at MCCC has been the training center for more than 4,100 cadets with a consistent graduation rate of more than 90 percent.

During the June 11 ceremony, Anthony Ginexi, Ed.D., Dean of Business and Professional Studies, told the graduates they were taking their first steps toward a bright career.

“A career in law enforcement is not just a job, it is a public trust,” he said. “It’s a calling, grounded in service, built in honor and lived through selflessness. In choosing this path you’ve committed to something greater than yourselves.”

The Academy requires 919 hours of training and 26 exams, said Georgette Hill, ’86, Director of the Municipal Police Academy. She told the graduating cadets to remember two things: practice the golden rule of treating everyone the way they’d like to be treated, and practice makes permanent by staying on top of their training.

“It has been my privilege to be associated with you,” she said. “You have done yourselves and your families and this Academy very proud. Congratulations.”

Kelly Lloyd, Montgomery County Deputy District Attorney, a guest speaker at the ceremony, told the class members they should be so proud for what they have accomplished.

“I see firsthand the dedication, the discipline and the courage it takes to wear the badge,” she said. “I also see the immense responsibility that comes with it. You will be called upon to act with sound judgement in moments of chaos. You will be trusted with the power to affect lives. To protect and sometimes to intervene when things have gone very wrong. Let me be clear. Your job is not easy, but you knew what you signed up for. You are here because you didn’t want to take the easy path. You are here because you want to make a difference.”

Class valedictorians, cadet Sgt. Samantha Landis and cadet Thomas Lynch, congratulated their classmates on all they have achieved.

“We’ve reached the end of an unforgettable journey,” said Landis. “One that has challenged us, shaped us and bonded us in ways few outside this room can truly understand. From day one, I knew this class was something special … Each of us came here for different reasons, but we all answered the same call.”

“When we began this journey, many of us weren’t sure what to expect. We knew it would be tough. We just didn’t know how tough,” said Lynch. “We were tested physically, mentally, emotionally. We learned how to handle a firearm, deescalate a confrontation, how to write reports, how to drive like our lives and lives of others depended on it. And we learned, perhaps most importantly, that the badge we’ve now earned is not a symbol of power, but a responsibility.”

Guest speaker Officer Seth Homan, of the Whitpain Township Police Department, told the cadets to remember why they chose this career, especially when the job gets hard, as it will help them stay focused.

“As you step into your future,” said Homan, “with patrol cars, townships, departments and communities, remember you’re not just enforcing the law. You are protectors of peace.”

Hill later recognized the achievements of Class 2501. Cadet Zachary Steiger received the Sgt. James R. Miller Marksmanship Award for attaining the highest score during marksmanship training.

Cadet Justin Colon received the Cpl. Brian Kozera Physical Fitness Award. The award is given to the cadet in each academy class who has motivated others to perform at their peak abilities and has shown the overall highest standards in physical fitness.

Cadet Staff Sgt. Nakia Newton received the Award of Distinction, which is presented to the cadet in each academy class who best demonstrates the qualities of dedication and teamwork.

The Professional Development Award was given to cadet Mackenzie O’Leary. This award is presented to the cadet in each academy class who has shown the greatest overall development and improvement.

“A career in law enforcement is not just a job, it is a public trust.”-Anthony Ginexi, Ed.D., Dean of Business and Professional Studies

Cadet Lt. Gabriel Fisher received the Platoon Leader Merit Award. This award is presented to the Platoon Leader in each academy class for their commitment, work ethic, and outstanding leadership

Lisa Coppola, on behalf of the McGowan family, presented the $2,500 Chief John J. McGowan III Memorial Scholarship to cadet Joshua Dechnik. The McGowan family started the scholarship fund in memory of their husband/father, Chief John J. McGowan, III, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2010. The scholarship is awarded annually to a cadet who has completed the program and is financing their tuition and has been helpful to many cadets over the years.

Cadets Zachary Steiger and Devin Yeager each received a $6,887 Quest for the Best Scholarship Award from the Quest for the Best Foundation, covering their entire tuition for the Academy. Quest provides funds and/or services “to those who are committed to strengthening the common good of mankind.”

Lastly, cadet Patrick Lynch received the $1,000 Whitpain Police Association Award, which is given to a cadet that has exemplified superior conduct throughout the duration of the police academy program. The award goes to the cadet who went above and beyond to help, encourage, and support their fellow cadets.

The graduates of Class 2501 are Sgt. Bashirah H. Abdul-Aziz, Philadelphia; Salvatore Bellavia, Exeter; Ryan N. Braim, Morrisville; Sgt. Matthew R. Cartwright, Telford; Jordan Z. Collazo, Hatboro; Justin L. Colon, Philadelphia; Michael J. Crescenzo, Levittown; Joshua M. Dechnik, Skippack; Arthur J. Dingley, Levittown; Jacob T. Drummer, Catasauqua, Pa.; Sgt. David R. Dry, Telford, Lt. Gabriel H. Fisher, Bensalem; Kyle D. Fizel, Newtown; Michael M. Freney, West Chester; Delane J. Hart-Johnson, Philadelphia; Sgt. Sean C. Healy, Holland, Pa.; James J. Kelly, Chalfont; Riley U. Kontra, King of Prussia; Sgt. Samantha B. Landis, Huntingdon Valley; Derek A. Leflar, West Conshohocken; Sgt. David J. Lopez, New York; Patrick M. Lynch, North Wales; Thomas E. Lynch, Philadelphia; Tamika W. Mack, Philadelphia; Ethan N. Medina, Lemoore, Calif.; Andrew W. Mocharnuk, Philadelphia; Andrew M. Moffett, Pennsburg; Zachary E. Newhard, Coopersburg, Pa.; Staff Sgt. Nakia Z. Newton, Philadelphia; Mackenzie S. O’Leary, Philadelphia, Mason P. Olivares, Quakertown; Tata A. Pepe, Hatboro; Michael J. Reynolds, Ambler; Zachary E. Steiger, Collegeville; Kiera E. Swanson, Perkasie; William A. Torzon, Solvay, N.Y.; Alexander H. Wharton, Bensalem; Mary-Jean E. Wicher, Telford; Devin M. Yeager, Morrisville, Pa.

The Municipal Police Academy’s 919-hour curriculum allows successful students to articulate up to 15 credit hours toward an associate degree in Criminal Justice. The Academy is certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. Many of the Academy’s alumni serve as officers and in leadership roles throughout Montgomery County and the region. MCCC operates the Municipal Police Academy in the Health Sciences Center at the Blue Bell Campus.