Erie Community College, State University of New York

The Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy held a graduation ceremony for its first class Thursday, June 28 in Gleasner Hall auditorium at Erie Community College’s North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY.

Twenty-two officers from 11 area law enforcement agencies graduated, along with six pre-employment recruits who attended 17 weeks of the 20-week program.

The pre-employment police basic training course allows individuals interested in law enforcement careers to complete approximately 80 percent of their mandated academy training prior to being hired by a police agency.

The keynote speaker at graduation was Denise E. O’Donnell, commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Also attending Thursday’s ceremony was: William D. Reuter, interim president, Erie Community College; Kevin J. Comerford, commissioner, Erie County Central Police Services; H. McCarthy Gipson, commissioner, Buffalo Police Department; Dennis Rankin, chief, Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Christine Ziemba, chief, Cheektowaga Police Department.

Erie Community College took over operation of the Erie County Central Police Services Public Safety Training Academy in March 2007, renaming it the Eric County Law Enforcement Training Academy.

The merger was made possible through a collaborative agreement between the Erie County Department of Central Police Services, ECC, the Erie County Association of Chiefs of Police, the Buffalo Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department.

ECC will be starting its third pre-employment police basic training class August 6. For more information, call (716) 270-5376.

Erie Community College is a comprehensive provider of quality, flexible, affordable and accessible academic training programs, along with related services, that meet the needs of a diverse student body and promote regional economic growth.