Graduation Day

On December 19, 49 graduates of the Cincinnati Police Academy threw their hats into the air and you could see the relief on their faces, as well as their pride. They had just completed 26 grueling weeks at one of the most rigorous police academies in the country, and this time, every single person who started the program finished, which is unusual.

At the academy, they learned about law, self-defense, cultural differences, mental health issues, marksmanship and probably completed thousands of pushups apiece. They ran several thousand miles. Two of the class members lost over 50 pounds apiece (one of those two lost 83 pounds!). The class valedictorian had a degree in Biology (with a minor in Chemistry) and a large number had bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice or Criminology. There were many with military service (including Iraq and Afghanistan) and one man had 24 years in the U.S. Army. One was a brand-new US Citizen (from France) with family members service in police organizations in France and the Netherlands. She had only been here ten years, but in the time learned English, got a GED, took college classes and earned her citizenship.

David was dethroned as the oldest-ever CPD rookie. Louis Arnold, 56, the father of a Cincinnati Police officer was in the class. David was 54 when he graduated, 53 when he started the Academy.

Although he no longer has that age-related distinction, he is now a Field Training Officer and he will train some of the new grads as they complete their 6 month probationary period, taking them along with him on patrol for two of the six months.

David started off the ceremonies with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. I didn’t get the first couple of words, but the rest is on the video above.

A local TV station covered the event and included a video on their website:

When you look at that video, I appear briefly (right after the announcer’s picture disappears) as the blonde in the gray sweater in the front row of the audience (with my back to you). So now you know who I am!