Eighteen Recruits Graduate From Hancock's Law Enforcement Training Academy
DECEMBER 10, 2019--Eighteen recruits graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy on Dec. 10 at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.
The graduating recruits of class #118 gathered with their friends and families to celebrate the completion of the challenging 21-week academy, which prepared the group to enter careers as peace officers. Nearly all of the recruits have already been hired by local law enforcement agencies.
"This is the core of what we do as a community college. We proudly train our public servants,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “These are the people who you want to be there to help you on your very worst day.”
In order to graduate, the recruits were required to successfully pass Hancock’s Basic Law
Enforcement Academy. The academy is a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) course consisting of 830 hours of instruction. During the academy, the recruits received training in community policing, search and seizure, firearms, ethics, investigation procedures, patrol techniques, arrest and control, physical training, CPR/First Aid, emergency vehicle operations and other important skills. Each recruit shot thousands of rounds of ammunition, passed multiple written exams and ran more than 216 miles as part of their academy training.
Seventeen of the academy’s 18 graduates have already been hired by area law enforcement agencies. Those include the Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria police departments, as well as the San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County sheriff’s offices and the UC Santa Barbara Police Department.
“Today you all have reached the beginning of your journey in a very noble profession,” said Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis, who delivered the graduation’s keynote address. “Each of you has a unique opportunity to reach out to your community and build trust.”
Several of the recruits received awards for their achievements in areas such as academics, report writing and firearms. Michael Tschoepe was the valedictorian for class #118. Tschoepe was hired by the SLO County Sheriff’s Office.
“The last 21 weeks have been a challenge like no other, but they also include memories we will never forget,” said Tschoepe. “The growth we all experienced was incredible.”
The class #118 academy graduates are Davina Valerio, Arroyo Grande Police Department; Luis Martinez, Independent; Walter Canizalez, Paso Robles Police Department; John Stevens, SLO Police Department; Hiruy Gemechu, SLO County Sheriff’s Office; Michael Tschoepe, SLO County Sheriff’s Office; Cameron Hossli, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office; Celeste Johnson, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office; Blake Martinez, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office; Victor Cortez-Silva, Santa Maria Police Department; Jose Gomez Zambrano, Santa Maria Police Department; Bryce Moses, Santa Maria Police Department; Antonio Pena, Santa Maria Police Department; James Roach, Santa Maria Police Department; Caleb Scherrer, Santa Maria Police Department; Angel Velasquez, Santa Maria Police Department; Matthew Walker, Santa Maria Police Department; Marco Pavico, UCSB Police Department.
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Photo Caption: Eighteen recruits graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy on Dec. 10 at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.
