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JOHNSTOWN -- The fourth class of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy (Cadet Class No. 92) was honored during a graduation ceremony held at the Richland Campus Auditorium on Friday, June 26.
Each of the 14 cadets received a certificate acknowledging their completion of the Penn Highlands Police Academy, with eight receiving a conditional offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of the state certification test.
The list of cadets, including those with a conditional offer of employment, includes:
Micah Beish of Madera
Jacob Custer of Central City (Somerset Borough Police Department)
Charles Cypher of Johnstown (Geistown Borough Police Department)
Steven Degani of Cairnbrook
Caymen Hughes of Williamsburg
Nathan Kasterko of Berlin (Somerset Borough Police Department)
Edward Migut of Johnstown (Somerset Borough Police Department)
Christopher Nash of Johnstown (Indian Lake Police Department)
John Reilly of Roaring Spring
Rebecca Ribblett of Johnstown (Pitt-Johnstown Campus Police)
Bailey Smith of Williamsburg
Brady Smith of Windber
Zachary Wright of Altoona (Altoona Police Department)
Logan Zevorich of Windber (Somerset Borough Police Department)
Rebecca Ribblett was named class valedictorian after compiling the scores of 26 tests and the completion of eight real-life training scenarios.
Micah Beish received the Physical Fitness Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement as determined from three required P.T. tests and physical training that occur throughout the academy.
Jacob Custer earned the Distinguished Marksman Award for accumulating the most points throughout the firearms training with the pistol, shotgun and patrol rifle.
Christopher Nash was presented with the Defensive Tactics Award for outstanding performance during extensive control tactics training. Bailey Smith received the Emergency Vehicle Operations Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement during multiple driving courses.
Logan Zevorich was chosen as the recipient of the Chief James Mock Memorial Achievement Award.
Established by Catherine Rager and the James Mock family, the award honors an exceptional cadet annually during graduation for each cadet class, while celebrating outstanding performance and unwavering commitment demonstrated during their training, recognizing their dedication to excellence in law enforcement.
The curriculum included subjects ranging from constitutional law, ethics, de-escalation strategies, criminal law and procedures, and search and seizure. Additionally, each cadet successfully completed practical training in physical fitness, defensive control tactics, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, first aid, and CPR, along with optional certifications in field sobriety, taser, police baton, and pepper spray.
Cadets underwent a total of 919 hours of instruction five nights per week over a span of nine months, divided between 498 hours within a classroom and 421 hours of practical, hands-on training. The cadets' firearms training and qualifications took place on Saturday and Sunday, spanning eight consecutive weekends.
To conclude their training at the Police Academy, cadets underwent 40 hours of practical scenario training. This comprehensive program involved three role players, each with a background in criminal justice and drawn from the local community, providing the cadets with a realistic and immersive learning experience.
A total of 11 instructors assisted in the training and certification process. The academy's fifth class is currently accepting cadets and begins training on Aug. 31.