Lorain County Community College Police Academy celebrated the graduation of nineteen hardworking cadets on June 20, sending each of them off to begin their careers in law enforcement.

In 2002, LCCC worked in correlation with Lorain County Chief’s Law Enforcement Association, developing an on-campus Police Academy program. In the two decades since its inception, the LCCC Police Academy has had two graduating classes every year. With this spring’s nineteen graduating cadets, the number of LCCC Police Academy graduates now surpasses over 700 since the academy began in 2002 and remains Lorain County’s number one location for first responder training.

LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., congratulated the class during the graduation ceremony in the Stocker Arts Center Hoke Theatre.

“I know reaching this moment has required an enormous amount of discipline, devotion and hard work” Ballinger said. “By selecting LCCC as your training location, you joined a program that is the best of the best.”
LCCC is the number one training location for first responders in Lorain County, including law enforcement officers. The academy is recognized statewide as a STAR Academy Training Center, the highest award given to Ohio police academies who consistently exceed training standards.

With this designation, the LCCC Police Academy has continued to see a vast majority of graduates being employed by local law enforcement agencies in Northeast Ohio, with many cadets finding job placements before graduation. This year’s graduating cadets have a near 100 percent placement rate in police departments in Northeast Ohio, the majority in Lorain County.

This year’s graduating class president, Alex M. Rush, a veteran of the Army National Guard, spoke during the graduation ceremony. Throughout the many challenges of the academy, Rush said he and his classmates focused on their unofficial motto – semper gumby – meaning, always flexible.
“Adapting and overcoming obstacles of change will always be part of our careers, and we are ready,” Rush said.

As the cadets move into their careers, Ballinger encouraged them to remember the importance of their role in their communities.
“I encourage each of you to remember who is watching you; who is depending on you; and who is looking up to you as a role model. I know that each of you will rise to this responsibility, while bringing security to the communities you serve” said Ballinger.

For more information about the LCCC Police Academy, visit http://www.lorainccc.edu/police.