13 cadets graduate from WCCC's Municipal Police Officers' Training Academy

After completing a rigorous five-month program, 13 cadets graduated Tuesday from Westmoreland County Community College’s Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy.

Wearing their gray-and-black uniforms, the cadets celebrated the end of their 930-hour program that trained them to become police officers in municipalities and cities across the state.

“I truly believe that the reputation of the police profession that I love so dearly goes forth with you when you leave here tonight,” Bart Lemansky, a training instructor, told students during the ceremony. “I can say without reservation that I could not possibly be happier about that with this group.”

Westmoreland’s police academy, taught by working officers, investigators and leaders from across the region, covers various topics including physical and emotional readiness, use of force/defensive tactics, civil and criminal law, motor vehicle laws, basic firearms, crisis management, families in crisis and more.

Throughout the program, cadets also become emergency first responders who are certified in CPR, incident command, the National Incident Management System and tactical skills.

“There’s a reason we all made it to this day today, the reason we’re all sitting here,” Ronald Penn, class president, told his fellow graduates. “Because we stayed focused, committed (and) disciplined. … We always supported each other and respected each other. We never once gave up on each other.”

The program has graduated hundreds of cadets who have gone on to become SWAT and K-9 officers, chiefs and even judges.

The graduation ceremony came as several police departments throughout the region struggle to hire officers. In October, several police chiefs and departments across the region took part in a roundtable discussion in hopes of finding a solution to staffing problems.

Franklin Newill, III, director of the Westmoreland Police Academy, acknowledged there was a shortage of officers, adding that he notifies graduates open positions when possible.

According to Newill, Tuesday’s graduating class is smaller than normal. Last year, 25 cadets graduated from the full-time program.

“This is actually smaller than normal,” Newill said. “Maybe a reflection of what’s going on in society, I don’t know, but it’s small.”

Westmoreland County Community College is accepting applications for the 2022 Municipal Police Academy — a part-time, 11-month program beginning Feb. 5 — along with applications for the five-month, full-time academy, which starts June 4.

More information can be found at westmoreland.edu/policeacademy or by calling 724-925-4112.