Police academy graduates celebrate success

After completing 10 months of preparation, 53 men and women graduated from Fullerton College's Police Academy on the Quad last Saturday.

"Citizens will now depend on you for protection, service, and guidance; be proud of yourselves, for you have done well," Vice President of Student Services Tony DuBois stated in her welcoming speech.

Chief of the Placentia Police Department Rick Hicks was the featured keynote speaker of the ceremony.

"When you serve others, expect less and serve more," Hicks said, "when you expect the best you will get it, expect the worst and you'll get that too."

Hicks' final words of his speech asked the graduates to get out in the world and become leaders.

Special awards for areas such as: scenario testing, weaponry, training and defensive tactics, and Overall #1 Recruit were presented on the day. Marcus Zappia earned the S.W.A.T. award, while Jonathan Potts accepted the honor of the Overall #1 Recruit award.

When asked about the hardest part of the program, graduate Courtney McIntyre said she felt the testing had higher standards than some other academics.

Guests attending the event included: friends and family of the graduates, officials from the NOCCD, the Fullerton and Placentia Police Department and several other cities' departments.

However, after completing 40 weeks of extensive training, rigorous physical and academic tests; most of the students are struggling to find work.

"I am very happy to be graduating today, I wish I had a job, but that will come," said Paul Brunett, police academy graduate, 23.

Of the 52 graduates, police departments have hired six.

"It has been a long 10 months, the economy is down so not everyone has a job, but everyone here is a little higher up than anyone else who would be hired off the street," said Brian Tilley, basic academy graduate, 24.

Academy graduate Marcelino Pena says he feels he is prepared in an outstanding way. The program opened his eyes to what the experience of being a police officer will feel like in the real world.

"What we see here amongst us today is selflessness and commitment; today we are successful," said President of class 40 David Steen.

May we live long and prosperous lives; this is our calling, our desire, our dream and our life," Steen concluded.

To learn information on how to enroll, you can contact the academy at (714) 992-7115.