The 24 cadets graduating from Montgomery County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy gave each other a final salute before they soon begin their careers serving and protecting the public.

The College celebrated the Class of 22-02 with a ceremony inside the gymnasium of its Health Sciences Center on Blue Bell Campus, Wednesday, Dec. 14. Of the graduating class members, 11 cadets have already been hired by area police departments, with two additional cadets receiving conditional offers Wednesday.

MCCC Vice President of Pottstown Campus and Educational Partnerships and Chief Academic Officer Therol Dix congratulated the graduates for their hard work and dedication in the academy.

“Cadets, as you begin your careers in law enforcement, it’s my hope that you will remember the training, principles and values instilled in each of you during your time in the police academy,” said Dix, a former prosecutor, who previously worked in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. “Model the lessons of justice, fairness and equity you’ve learned, as you enter the communities you’ll serve. Always remember to be a catalyst of change and a force for goodness.”

Georgette Hill, Director of Public Services Training Programs and the Municipal Police Academy, reminded the cadets of the two rules established at the very beginning of the academy.

“The first is to practice the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We, as public servants, need to treat everyone with respect no matter the interaction,” she said. “This goes hand in hand with our second motto, which is practice makes permanent. Many things that we learn here at the academy are diminishing skills. Whether it be from physical training to academics, it’s important to stay on top of your training at all times and to keep sharp and ready for whatever you are faced with. That is why it is so important to continue to practice these skills.”

Also, on hand to congratulate the cadets was another partner in law enforcement, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, who delivered a message of support and best wishes.

“I am honored to be here tonight to celebrate this significant milestone in each of your lives, graduation from the Municipal Police Academy,” said Steele. “As you know, this graduation ceremony is the culmination of six months of hard work. Intense physical training, demanding course work, and all the time you’ve put in at the firing range perfecting your skills. All that work prepares you for this next step of becoming a patrol officer.”

Sgt. Michael Burton, of the Whitemarsh Township Police Department, was this year’s class selected guest speaker.

“Seated before me tonight are best friends, daughters, sons, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, veterans and volunteers,” he said. “All about to enter the noblest of professions.”

Hill later recognized the achievements of the Class of 22-02. Cadet Ryan Yenchick received the Sgt. James R. Miller Marksmanship Award. Cadet Sgt. Sean Jeffries and Cadet Staff Sgt. Jullian Keys each received the Award of Distinction. Cadet Sgt. John Every received the Professional Development Award. Cadet Juliane Holz was the first person to ever receive the Corporal Brian Kozera Physical Fitness Award. Class Cadet Lt. Matthew Callahan received the Platoon Leader Merit Award.

Jeffries, the Class 22-02 valedictorian, congratulated his classmates for their perseverance during the academy.

“It is an honor to be standing here tonight among 24 of some of the finest men and women entering the field of law enforcement and our communities deserve no less,” he said. “Six months ago, on July 5, 24 strangers met in the school’s smallest classroom. Today, we graduate with that same number all of whom are well prepared to take on this challenging yet rewarding career.”

Scott McGowan, on behalf of the McGowan family, presented the $2,500 Chief John J. McGowan III Memorial Scholarship to Cadet Noah Clemens. The McGowan family started the scholarship fund in memory of their husband/father, Chief John J. McGowan, III, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2010. The scholarship is awarded annually to a cadet who has completed the program and is financing his or her tuition and has been helpful to many cadets over the years.

Daniel Czaplicki, of the Quest for the Best Foundation, awarded Cadet Jordan Kim and Cadet Sgt. Addison Woelkers each with a $2,500 Quest for the Best Scholarship Award. Quest provides funds and/or services “to those who are committed to strengthening the common good of mankind.”

The graduates of Class 22-02 are Lt. Matthew Callahan, Havertown; Staff Sgt. Jullian Keys, Abington; Sgt. John Every, Norristown; Sgt. Jasmine Hess, Chester Springs; Sgt. Sean Jeffries, Warminster; Sgt. Addison Woelkers, Pennsburg; Alicia Belli, Upper Black Eddy; Noah Clemens, Lansdale; Shawn Cottee, Lansdale; Ryan Gredone, Trevose; Melissa Hibbert, Southampton; Juliane Holz, Philadelphia (and Grimmeu, Germany); Jordan Kim, Hatfield; James Magee, Virginia Beach, Va.; William McDonald, Levittown; Nicholas Miller, Towamencin; Kayin Nix, Perkasie; Andrew Profit, Abington; Kevin Romine, Plymouth Meeting; Shane Secrest, Langhorne; Anthony Squillante, Downingtown; Nicholas Wallin, Limerick; Deslyn Weaver, Brooklyn, NY ( and Georgetown, Guyana); and Ryan Yenchick, Phoenixville.

Since 1973, the Municipal Police Academy at MCCC has been the training center for more than 4,100 cadets with a consistent graduation rate of more than 90 percent. The 919-hour curriculum allows successful students to articulate up to 15 credit hours toward an associate degree in Criminal Justice. The Academy is certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. Many of the Academy’s alumni serve as officers and in leadership roles throughout Montgomery County and the region. MCCC operates the Municipal Police Academy in the Health Sciences Center at the Blue Bell Campus.

Updated: 1/26/2023