Police and fire academies celebrate their success
A police recruit receives their certificate. Photo by Kevin Fowler.
By Emmett Roman
Staff Reporter
At the end of the first semester, every student gets ready for their next one or final semester. However, for some in first responder programs, they graduate sooner. Those graduations are to recognize the accomplishments of the recruits finishing state mandated rigorous training to become certified police officers and firefighters for the state of Michigan.
To achieve their certifications, “Police Academy recruits are required by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards to complete at least 615 hours of training,” according to Aileen Hagerty, the lead support for police and fire. “LCC's academy runs 740 hours thanks to Perkins V Grant funding.” The Perkins V Grant funding, according to the LCC website, supports student support systems, equipment, and resources for curriculum improvement in occupational programs.
Graduates of the fire academy are required to complete over 240 hours of training by the Michigan Firefighter Training Council. However, Hagerty stated that “LCC's academy provides over 300 hours including a week of Live Fire Training, which other fire academies do not provide.” After completing all the requirements, Fire Academy recruits can take the academic exam and leave LCC with a Certificate of Completion. Police Academy recruits can also get certificates if they are not already employed with a police agency.
Graduations for the police and fire academies include a procession with all the students in uniform, a presentation of excellence and the presentation of certificates. The keynote speaker for the 116th Police Academy graduation on Dec. 11 was Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth. The 116th Academy included 25 recruits, all of whom begin work at their new postings on Dec. 19.
The keynote speaker for the 81th Fire Academy graduation on Dec. 12 was Chief Todd Hendy from Lansing Township Fire. Nineteen recruits graduated at the event.
A fire academy recruit speaks at the podium during the graduation ceremony. Photo
by Kevin Fowler.
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