Kalamazoo Valley Police Academy Graduation Slated for May 17

Fifteen people - 12 men and three women - will walk the stage Friday, May 17 as graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s 87th Police Officer Training Academy.

Eight of the cadets have already been offered employment and will begin serving their respective communities following graduation. They are:

Tanner Boysen of Allegan, Michigan Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department

Micah Charlick of Brighton, Michigan Ludington Police Department

Jonathan Cluster of Three Oaks, Michigan Berrien County Sheriff’s Department

Blake Kinzler of Watervliet, Michigan Benton Harbor Dept. of Public Safety

Sarah Schudel of Plainwell, Michigan Kentwood County Sheriff’s Department

Brittany Sutherland of Watervliet, Michigan Berrien County Sherriff’s Department

Matthew Tomsic of Bangor, Michigan Portage Police Department

Nicholas Tuleja of Holland, Michigan Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety

Graduates from the academy enjoy the highest employment rate in the state. A total of 92 percent of alumni are employed in the field, compared to a statewide average of approximately 69 percent, according to the Director of Kalamazoo Valley’s Law Enforcement Training Center Victor Ledbetter.

“Kalamazoo Valley’s Police Officer Training Academy is recognized as one of the leading police training facilities in the state of Michigan, we consistently graduate well-trained and well-rounded cadets,” Ledbetter said. “When done properly, there is a nobility and honor in protecting and serving as a police officer.”

There is currently a state-wide shortage of certified and qualified police officers. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) website shows more than 100 agencies throughout the state hiring either part-time or full-time officers.

Graduation takes place at 3 p.m. in the Dale B. Lake Auditorium on the college’s Texas Township Campus and is open to the public. The Honorable Michael McKay of Van Buren County’s 7th District Court is the guest speaker as chosen by the cadet class.

The Police Officer Training Academy is a 16 week, full-time program, typically scheduled Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. In addition, some training occurs on nights and weekends as needed. The next academy begins August 5 with applications are being accepted through June 21. For more details and an application packet, visit www.kvcc.edu/police.