Twenty-three Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) Municipal Police Academy cadets began their careers as newly minted officers recently, following the program’s graduation ceremony.

Of the graduating class members, nine cadets were sponsored by area police departments coming into the Academy. Ten were hired or received conditional offers upon completion of the program. More are expected to be hired over the next few weeks.

During the ceremony, Rosann Bar, Ph.D., Dean of Academic Innovation, congratulated the cadets on their achievements and challenged the cadets to remember the lessons they learned in the Academy.

“The demands of our program, both intellectually and physically, have equipped you to handle the various challenges you will face,” she said. “Trust in your training—it has prepared you well for the array of situations awaiting you.”

The Academy requires 919 hours of training and 26 exams, said Georgette Hill, Director of the Municipal Police Academy and an MCCC alumna. She told the graduating cadets to remember two things: practice the golden rule of treating everyone the way they’d like to be treated and practice makes permanent by staying on top of their training. 

“Never forget what you’ve learned here,” she said. “It will follow you throughout your 25-year career.”

Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Edward McCann, a guest speaker at the ceremony, quoted Sir Robert Peele’s Policing Principles, written in 1829, when offering words of wisdom to the cadets.

“The key to preventing crime comes from earning public support,” he said. “If you want to be good at your job, you must be good at gaining and maintaining public trust.”

McCann said the job was not for people who are sensitive to criticism, “but it’s a job where you can accomplish great things.”

Class valedictorian, cadet Andrew Naimoli scored a 96.8 percent average over 26 exams, said Hill. As valedictorian, Naimoli thanked his classmates for their hard work during the Academy.

“We’ve been through many long hours and difficult moments together,” he said. “Despite everything we have faced, we could always look to each other for support and help. I know that without you, this would not have been possible.”

Whitemarsh Township Police Sgt. Michael Burton was this year’s class-selected guest speaker. He shared a few lessons about being a young police officer including learning from mistakes, keeping close, trusted relationships, gaining strength by being vulnerable and having empathy for others.

“As you grow in your career,” he said, “know the difference between a bad person and a good person having a bad day.”

Hill later recognized the achievements of Class 2402. Naimoli received the Sgt. James R. Miller Marksmanship Award for attaining the highest score during marksmanship training.

Cadet Francis Baluyot received the Cpl. Brian Kozera Physical Fitness Award. The award is given to the cadet in each academy class who has motivated others to perform at their peak abilities and has shown the overall highest standards in physical fitness.

Cadet Sgt. Shane Emrich received the Award of Distinction, which is presented to the cadet in each academy class who best demonstrates the qualities of dedication and teamwork.

The Professional Development Award was given to cadet Carter May. This award is presented to the cadet in each academy class who has shown the greatest overall development and improvement.

Cadet Lieutenant Joseph Coates received the Platoon Leader Merit Award. This award is presented to the Platoon Leader in each academy class for their commitment, work ethic, and outstanding leadership

John McGowan, on behalf of the McGowan family, presented the $2,500 Chief John J. McGowan III Memorial Scholarship to cadet Dominick Parker. 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.

Cadet Andrew Naimoli and cadet Sgt. Clare Maguire, each received a $6,887 Quest for the Best Scholarship Award from the Quest for the Best Foundation, covering their entire tuition for the Academy. Quest provides funds and/or services “to those who are committed to strengthening the common good of mankind.”

Lastly, cadet Johnson Tu received the $1,000 Whitpain Police Association Award, which is given to a cadet that has exemplified superior conduct throughout the duration of the police academy program. The award goes to the cadet who went above and beyond to help, encourage, and support their fellow cadets.

The graduates of Class 2402 are Sgt. Cory J Azeff, Trappe; Francis K. Baluyot, Parsippany, N.J.; Kane J. Barry, East Brunswick, N.J.; Justin R. Bates, Upper Moreland; Richard Canally, Glenside; Lt. Joseph Coates, Newtown; John Costigan, Jamison; William M. Cypress, Lower Merion; Sgt. Shane R. Emrich, Upper Providence; Anthony Falgiatore, Atglen, Pa.; Michael J. Fienman, Philadelphia; Hilary E. Gray, Malvern; Michael A. Kubick, Huntingdon Valley; Sgt. Clare Maguire, Oreland; Ke'Airah M. Massiah, Philadelphia; Carter J. May, Buckingham; Anthony Mirack, Upper Makefield; Andrew Naimoli, Downingtown; Dominick Parker, Upper Dublin; Sgt. Michael J. Romesburg, Chalfont; Staff Sgt. Justin Thomas, Savannah, Ga.; Dominick J. Tomaselli, New Hanover; Johnson Tu, Warrington.

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.