North Ridgeville Review The Community That Cares
Lorain County Community College celebrated the graduation of 16 cadets from the LCCC Police Academy during a ceremony on October 16 at Stocker Arts Center’s Hoke Theatre.
LCCC serves as Lorain County’s leading training site for first responders, including future law enforcement officers dedicated to protecting and serving their communities.
LCCC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success Denise Douglas, Ph.D., congratulated the cadets on their achievement.
“These cadets have completed a rigorous training program that is designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge to serve and protect their communities,” Douglas said.
The majority of graduates have already been hired for law enforcement roles. In fact,14 cadets have accepted job offers with local police departments, including in Lorain, Elyria, North Ridgeville, and other Northeast Ohio communities.
This class completed an intensive 900 hours of instruction over the course of 24 weeks, far exceeding the state minimum requirement of 740 hours. This high level of training earned the academy recognition as a STAR Academy Training Center, the highest award given to Ohio police academies that consistently exceed training standards.
The class president, Lavell Gibson, spoke to his fellow graduates during ceremony, encouraging each of them to build upon the foundation they’ve built in the academy. Gibson, who lives in Lorain, has been hired by the Lorain Police Department.
“Every step of the way, every call you take, take your training seriously, and always make it home,” he said.
LCCC Police Academy Commander Duane Whitely commended the graduates for completing the demanding academy. He noted that the program’s intensity is intentional and thoughtfully designed to prepare cadets for the realities of law enforcement careers. In addition to rigorous classroom and tactical training, the cadets also completed community service projects.
As the cadets begin their careers, Douglas encouraged them to remember the importance of their role in their communities.
“Law enforcement is more than a profession, it is a calling. It’s a commitment to stand up for others, to protect your neighbors, to uphold justice, and to ensure the safety of all,” Douglas said. “I know that each of you will rise to this responsibility, while bringing security to the communities you serve.”
To learn more about the LCCC Police Academy, visit www.lorainccc.edu/police.
