21 Idaho Peace Officers Graduate POST Patrol Academy Class

MERIDIAN - Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is proud to announce that Patrol Basic Academy #177 graduated during a ceremony Friday at the POST Academy in Meridian. The 21 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 POST Class #177 and their law enforcement agencies are:

Adam S. Arnold - Ada County Sheriff's Office
Eduardo J. Ballesteros - Blackfoot Police Department
Brandon R. Bish - Mountain Home Police Department
Austin R. Budge - Montpelier Police Department
Stephen A. Burnett - Elmore County Sheriff's Office
Jeremy L. Canterbury - Butte County Sheriff's Office
Neil E. Daigle - Ada County Sheriff's Office
Patrick C. Dupea - Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office
Howard N. Egan - Twin Falls Police Department
Dennis Estrada - Ada County Sheriff's Office
Cody L. Frailey - Canyon County Sheriff's Office
Steven R. Hansen - Blaine County Sheriff's Office
Chadwick B. Hessing - Ada County Sheriff's Office
Jason C. House - Moscow Police Department - Class Vice-President
Terisa M. Howell - Ada County Sheriff's Office - Class President
Timothy M. Sokolowski - Idaho County Sheriff's Office
Irina A. Svetlichnaya - Pocatello Police Department
Juanita J. Toll - Fruitland Police Department
Michael R. Topp - Lewiston Police Department
Brandon R. Vannatter - Benewah County Sheriff's Office
Jason B. Woodcook - Ada 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, Gary Raney, Post Council Chair and Ada County Sheriff, Terisa M. Howell, Class President, guest speaker Sergeant Patrick Calley, Ada County Sheriff's Office, Tim Braseth, POST Training Specialist and the Honorable Thomas Watkins, 4th District Judge, who administered the code of ethics to the recruits. Class member Neil Daigle gave the benediction.

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

Top Student Award - Chadwick B. Hessing, Ada 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 - Steven R. Hansen, Blaine County Sheriff's Office

Top Shooter Award - Student with the highest score on the firearms range - Chadwick B. Hessing, Ada County Sheriff's Office

Top Driver Award - Student with the highest score in the driving course - Timothy M. Sokolowski, Idaho 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 presented to the class were:

Firearms Possible (Shot 100% on the range)
Patrick C. Dupea
Jason B. Woodcook

Sharpshooter (Shot 98%- 99.9% on the range)
Adam S. Arnold
Eduardo J. Ballesteros
Austin R. Budge
Jeremy L. Canterbury
Neil E. Daigle
Dennis Estrada
Steven R. Hansen
Chadwick B. Hessing
Jason C. House
Michael R. Topp
Brandon R. Vannatter

Marksman (Shot 96%- 97.9% on the range)
Stephen A. Burnett
Howard N. Egan
Terisa M. Howell

Fitness Excellence (Scored 95%+ on one fitness readiness test)
Neil E. Daigle


About POST: Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) ensure "Professionalism Through Training" of all Idaho criminal justice professionals including patrol, dispatch, adult and juvenile corrections, detention, and probation and parole officers. All Idaho peace officers are certified through POST and currently POST certifies approximately 1,800 Idaho criminal justice professionals each year. The POST Academy was established in 1970 and is located in Meridian, Idaho.

Anyone interested in learning more about the POST Academy, its courses or becoming a peace officer in Idaho should visit their website at www.post.idaho.gov.