Harford County Sheriff’s Office Announces Graduation of 27th Entrance Level Law Enforcement Class

From the Harford County Sheriff’s Office:

(Harford County, MD – December 24, 2009) The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy held commencement exercises Wednesday, December 9, 2009 for the recruits of Entrance Level Class 27. The class, comprised of fifteen Harford County deputies, and one officer from the Bel Air Police Department, graduated after a rigorous program of intensive law enforcement and criminal justice training that began in June 2009. As part of their required training and certification, police recruits received extensive firearms training, Deputy Mark Jordan received the Firearms Proficiency Award for the class. Deputy Brett Smoot was named class valedictorian for his best overall scores. Deputy Tyler Vass was selected by his peers to place the ceremonial class flag onto the “guide on”, an honor bestowed on him by his fellow classmates.

Lieutenant Carl Brooks, Director of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy welcomed over 100 families, friends and dignitaries to the event held at John Carroll High School. The National Anthem was sung by Kelleigh Pangratz and the Posting and Retiring of Colors was skillfully performed by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard. Sheriff L. Jesse Bane congratulated the recruits on their successful six-month odyssey through the police academy, and reminded them of the enormous responsibilities and integrity required to be a police officer. Guest speaker, Mr. Steven Hess of the United States Attorney’s Office and a retired Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputy offered some common sense and inspirational advice to the graduates. Each recruit received their certificate of training and respective badge from Sheriff Bane of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Leo Matrangola of the Bel Air Police Department and Ray Franklin, Acting Executive Director of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.

Graduating were Allen Frederick Jr, Thomas French Jr., Amy Giannini, Thomas Jackson, Mark Jordan, Donald Licato, James Norman Jr., Kevin Phillips, William Salvas, Andrew Sampson, Derek Seman, Brett Smoot, Trent Thomas, Tyler Vass, Ronnell Webb, and Michael Wilsynski. Each graduate completed their 28 weeks of intensive training sanctioned by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions receiving specialized training in over 200 course objectives including first aid, CPR, defensive tactics, fire safety, report writing and physical fitness to name a few. In addition to the training received, graduates also received credits towards an Associate Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Harford Community College. For further information regarding a career in law enforcement with the Harford County Sheriff’s office, contact 410-836-6600 or visit the website at www.harfordsheriff.org