Archive for Saturday, November 7, 2009

City police welcome 6 graduates after 23-week ‘grueling academy’

Lawrence police department recruit Andrew Fennelly, seated, examines photographic evidence as presented by Douglas County assistant district attorney Michael Allen during a mock cross-examination exercise Thursday in the Division 1 Courtroom at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. Fennelly and five other recruits graduated into the police force Friday.

Lawrence police department recruit Andrew Fennelly, seated, examines photographic evidence as presented by Douglas County assistant district attorney Michael Allen during a mock cross-examination exercise Thursday in the Division 1 Courtroom at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. Fennelly and five other recruits graduated into the police force Friday.

November 7, 2009

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New officers welcomed to local police force

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Six new police officers completed their training and are now official members of the Lawrence police force. The new members and veterans were recognized for their achievements during a ceremony Friday. Enlarge video

Veteran officers honored

Along with welcoming the new officers, several veterans received awards.

Six new law enforcement officers were officially welcomed Friday night into the Lawrence Police Department during a swearing-in ceremony.

After completing 23 weeks of training, the officers graduated from the department’s 29th basic recruit academy.

They’ll soon begin training in the real world, gun and badge in hand.

“It’s a proud time,” said graduate Jeffrey Holtzman. “A grueling academy.”

Holtzman joined Andrew Fennelly, Ronald Ivener, Adam Lanier, Marc Miller and Stephen Ramsdell in receiving their badges during the graduation ceremony at Maceli’s, 1031 N.H.

Lawrence police have seen many new faces in the last year, with 13 other recruits graduating earlier in the year. With 137 officers now on the police force, the department has just five vacancies, which should be filled next year.

During initial training, the new officers learned how to handle dangerous situations and on Thursday practiced testifying as witnesses in court.

“We came together and worked exceedingly well as a team,” said Ramsdell, the recruit academy’s class president.

During the next three months, the newest officers will undergo further training with experienced field training officers. They’ll then be on their own, assigned to one of three patrol shifts.