The Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy graduated its 64th class during a ceremony held May 10 at Niagara University\u2019s Castellani Art Museum.<\/p>\n
FBI Special Agent Jonathan Lacey was the ceremony\u2019s keynote speaker. Lacey, as the crisis manager and training coordinator for the FBI\u2019s Buffalo division, is responsible for ensuring that the FBI is always ready to respond to crisis situations in the Buffalo division\u2019s 17-county territory. The Williamsville native graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.<\/p>\n
Lacey said that, as he drove to Niagara, he was filled with a sense of optimism for the future. He would go on to use the term \u201cpromise\u201d to describe what he saw in the 14 men and women seated to his right.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday is a day for optimism because you are well prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead,\u201d Lacey said. \u201cHold on to that knowledge, but with humility. It is a day for optimism, because what you have chosen to do \u2013 help others \u2013 is intrinsically good. Do it with compassion and courage. I know you will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following Lacey\u2019s remarks, NCLEA co-directors Lt. Aaron Shultz and Detective John Faso presented diplomas to this spring\u2019s graduates:<\/p>\n
Joshua Belin, Pre-Employment
\nMarissa Bonito, Pre-Employment
\nPatricia Burdick, Pre-Employment
\nAaron Coney, Niagara County Sheriff\u2019s Office
\nDarren DeSantis, Niagara Falls Police Department
\nCorey Hohl, Pre-Employment
\nBenjamin Kaiser, Pre-Employment
\nShelby Law, Pre-Employment
\nJustin O\u2019Connor, Pre-Employment
\nTomarr Rexhepi, Pre-Employment
\nStephanie Riegle, Pre-Employment
\nNicholas Ross, Pre-Employment
\nWil Strehlow, Pre-Employment
\nJustin Westmorland, Pre-Employment<\/p>\n
Marissa Bonito, the academy class president, said that the graduates should maintain the mindset that has been instilled in them over the last few months: they will put themselves in harm\u2019s way for nothing more than the gratification of serving others.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the men and women who put focus on serving community, rather than self,\u201d Bonito said. \u201cIf there was one thing we learned, it is that teamwork can get us through anything. United, we can take on the world.\u201d
\nAward recipients:<\/p>\n
Academic Award: Benjamin Kaiser
\nPhysical Fitness Award: Tomarr Rexhepi
\nSgt. Jeff Juron Defensive Tactics Award: Corey Hohl
\nJeffrey A. Incardona Memorial Award: Aaron Coney
\nJoseph E. Steblein Memorial Award: Patricia Burdick<\/p>\n
Niagara University is the only four-year, private college in New York to host a full-time police academy.
\nCoordination of the program on Niagara\u2019s campus is undertaken by the university\u2019s Office of Continuing Education and criminal justice department.<\/p>\n
For more information about the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy, please call 716.286.8759 or email ude.aragain@aelcn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy Graduates 64th Class NU News, May 11, 2017 The Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy graduated its 64th class during a ceremony held May 10 at Niagara University\u2019s Castellani Art Museum. FBI Special Agent Jonathan Lacey was the ceremony\u2019s keynote speaker. Lacey, as the crisis manager and training coordinator for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":357,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n