Thirty-eight new peace officers are ready to begin serving communities across Ohio after graduating Thursday from the 154th Basic Peace Officer Class at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy in Columbus.
Among the graduates is Collin Deitsch of the Bellefontaine Police Department, who completed the 21-week Basic Peace Officer course and is now certified to serve as a peace officer in Ohio.
He will begin field training with the Bellefontaine Police Department on Monday.
The graduates completed the academy’s rigorous training program.
They will now join law enforcement agencies across the state as certified peace officers.
The academy’s Basic Peace Officer course meets and exceeds standards established by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
Recruits received instruction in more than 150 subject areas, including criminal and traffic law, community relations, physical fitness, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing and electronic speed measurement.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy is recognized as a STAR-certified academy by the Ohio Attorney General for excellence in law enforcement training.
During the graduation ceremony, Aiden C. Strand-Fox of the Wooster Police Department was selected by classmates to serve as the class speaker.
Several graduates were also recognized for outstanding performance during the academy:
- Overall Top Performer: Justin P. Vest, Mount Healthy Police Department
- Top Academics: Hayden M. Gorz, Ohio University Police Department
- Top Firearms: Nathan D. Raczynski, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
- Top Physical Fitness: Adam M. Lawson, Fairfield Police Department
- Top Driving: Daniel D. Cubrilo, Medina Police Department
The ceremony featured keynote remarks from Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and Academy Executive Director Thomas A. Quinlan.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Linek III also addressed the graduates before each received a certificate of training.
