Friday, June 14, 2013

20 Idaho Peace Officers Graduate POST Patrol Academy Class

MERIDIAN – Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is proud to announce that Patrol Basic Academy #175 graduated during a ceremony this afternoon at the POST Academy in Meridian.  The 20 graduates represent law enforcement agencies from throughout the state.  All peace officers in Idaho are required to complete a ten week basic academy in order to be certified.  The strenuous curriculum focuses on the foundation of knowledge and practical skills necessary for patrol duties.

Members of the POST Class #175 and their law enforcement agencies are:

Joshua Allen Meridian Police Department
Sikko Barghoorn Adams County Sheriff’s Office
Karl Bowcutt Shelley Police Department
Shawn Bybee Twin Falls Police Department
Kolby Call Caribou County Sheriff’s Office
Samuel Claunch Rexburg Police Department
David Cushing Twin Falls Police Department
Richard Garcia Ada County Sheriff’s Office – Class President
Jesse Gleason Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Shaine Gunderson Moscow Police Department
Chad Kingsland Jerome County Sheriff’s Office
Germain Neumann Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Jason Pettingill Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office – Class Vice President
James Pickard Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Wess Robinson Payette County Sheriff’s Office
Eric Rose Idaho Falls Police Department
Jared Scott Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Bridger Smith Teton County Sheriff’s Office
Scott Sorenson Chubbuck Police Department
Nicholas Woods Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office

During the 10 week POST Basic Patrol Academy students, or recruits, are trained to assume responsibilities of a peace officer in the State of Idaho which include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical requirements
  • Law and courtroom procedure
  • Firearms and defensive weapons
  • Emergency vehicle operation
  • Communication techniques 
  • Ethics
During the ceremony the graduates were addressed by Rory Olsen, POST Deputy Division Administrator, Chief Jeff Lavey, Meridian Police Department, Richard Garcia, Class President, Tim Braseth, POST Training Specialist and the Honorable Melissa Moody, 4th District Judge, who also administered the code of ethics to the recruits.

Other highlights of the ceremony include the presentation of several awards for marksmanship, physical fitness, driving and written exams which include:

Top Student Award
Jesse Gleason, Madison County Sheriff’s Office

Tactical Edge Award 
(Student chosen by classmates whom they would 
most want by their side as a partner in the field)
Wess Robinson, Payette County Sheriff's Office

Top Shooter Award 
(Student with the highest score on the firearms range) 
Shawn Bybee, Twin Falls Police Department

Top Driver Award 
(Student with the highest score in the driving course)
Wess Robinson, Payette County Sheriff's Office

Upon graduation the graduates will be required to complete additional training depending on the law enforcement agency that they are employed with.  This may include further course work, as well as, further field training in an “on the job” setting. 

Other awards given this afternoon include:

Firearms Possible (Shot 100% on the range)

Jesse Gleason Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Eric Rose Idaho Falls Police Department

Sharpshooter (Shot 98%- 99.9% on the range)

Sikko Barghoorn Adams County Sheriff’s Office
Shawn Bybee Twin Falls Police Department
Richard Garcia Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Wess Robinson Payette County Sheriff’s Office
Jared Scott Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Bridger Smith Teton County Sheriff’s Office
Scott Sorenson Chubbuck Police Department

Marksman (Shot 96%- 97.9% on the range)

Samuel Claunch Rexburg Police Department
David Cushing Twin Falls Police Department
Shaine Gunderson Moscow Police Department
Jason Pettingill Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Fitness Excellence (Scored 95%+ on one fitness readiness test)

Germain Neumann Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Eric Rose Idaho Falls Police Department
Jared Scott Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Scott Sorenson Chubbuck Police Department