25 recruits graduate from C-GCC law enforcement academy
The Daily Mail, online
April 26, 2009
Register-Star, online
April 27, 2009

GREENPORT - Twenty-five recruits, wearing new badges and pressed uniforms, graduated Saturday from their academy at Columbia-Greene Community College, in front of an audience of family, friends and academy alumni.

The new officers, from Zone 14 Law Enforcement Academy, will soon begin working in communities in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Orange, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties.

Columbia-Greene Community College President James R. Campion commended the graduates for remaining focused, disciplined and dedicated during their year-long program and wished them all a safe and satisfying career.

“This college’s academy is the best in the state, and our graduates are the most thoroughly trained police officers in the business,” he said.

State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro (R,C,I-Red Hook), the ceremony’s keynote speaker, offered the graduates humorous retorts to tell rowdy law-breakers and told a few speeding ticket jokes, eliciting smiles from their otherwise serious expressions.

He said that although some citizens may disrespect the law and the officers charged with upholding it, the graduates have an awesome responsibility to protect and preserve every citizen’s right to liberty and safety.

“Do not shrink from it,” he said.

Recruit Thomas M.D. Jones, of the Schodack Police Department, graduated with the highest academic average; Thomas J. McGuiness, of the Athens Police Department, was awarded best qualifier in firearms; and Timothy J. Hoffman, of the Mount Hope Police Department, won the physical training award.

Recruit First Sgt. Hoffman was also selected to speak at the ceremony by his fellow graduates.

He said that the recruits became a team over the duration of the program.

“As months proceeded, we slowly became 25 strong, working together and accomplishing our goals,” he said.

He thanked his instructors, citing each man’s unique teaching style, and the families in the audience for their patience and understanding over the duration of the program.

“The support you gave us helped us more than you can ever know,” he said.

news03.jpg

Graduating recruits pose for photographs before their ceremony Saturday.

Columbia County graduates included Paula A. Falkner and Michael C. Meier, of the Chatham Police Department; John V. Brailey, David T. Pulcher and Ryan A. Scalera, of the Germantown Police Department; Aurora M. Lighthart, of the Greenport Police Department; Kevin T. Demarest, of the Philmont Police Department; and Samantha J. Demski, Keith E. Johnson and Peter D. Merants Jr. of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department.

Greene County’s newest officers included Mark A. Nazi and Ryan A. Schrader, of the Athens Police Department; Steven R. Espel, of the Catskill Police Department; David H. Chittenden and Ronald Messen, of the Coxsackie Police Department; and Joel S. Rowell, of the Hunter Police Department.

Other graduated included Ryan D. Cross and Frank A. McDonagh, of the Coeymans Police Department; Alan J. Roehr Jr. and Peter C. Zownir, of the Schodack Police Department; Keith M. Boniface, of the Nassau Police Department; as well as Jason M. Monell, of the Stillwater Police Department.

Diplomas were presented by the recruits’ new chiefs and fellow officers, and, in some cases, by their relatives.

The graduates recessed out of the auditorium just as they progressed in, following a long bagpiper, before being greeted by the families, friends and fellow officers from their new police departments.