Southwest Colorado Community College’s Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy graduated 10 cadets during a ceremony at the Durango Public Library on Friday, Dec. 11.

It was standing room only as each cadet was recognized for his or her accomplishments made through the 18-week academy that included 672 hours of training. Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin gave the commencement address and lauded the cadets for their choice in profession. Upon graduation, cadets are equipped to take the State of Colorado’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Certification (POST) exam.

The Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy, directed by Dr. Anita Seamans and located at SCCC’s West Campus near Mancos, has a 98 percent passage rate on the POST exam. Of the 10 cadets that graduated Friday, five already have been placed with local law enforcement agencies including: Bayfield Police Department, Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff’s Department and the Cortez Police Department.

Congratulations to Matthew Beckman, Scott Blakley, Courtney Cannon, John Flanagan, Zachery Green, Jacob Harris, Joseph Hochanadel, Brent Jarmon, Cherrie Laner and Dawnmarie Lawson. A certificate was also awarded to Kate Kennedy from a previous class.

Special awards went to Blakely for Top Shooter, Jarmon for Top Driver, Flanagan for Academic Excellence and Beckman and Blakley for Outstanding Leadership.

The next academy starts Jan. 18. Applications are due to the Academy by Jan. 4. Call 970-564-6202 for more information.

Visit www.EnrollSouthwest.org for more information, or stop by one of our two Southwest Colorado campuses or call 970-247-2929 or 970-564-6200.