COLUMBUS, Ohio – Members of the 133rd Basic Peace Officer Class received training certificates during a graduation ceremony held Friday afternoon at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. The 24 graduates will assume duties as peace officers for 14 Ohio agencies.
The 19-week basic course began in February. The course was developed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and offers comprehensive instruction in more than 150 topics, including criminal law, traffic law, community relations, physical training, self-defense, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing, and electronic speed measuring devices.
Officer John E. Betts, Lakewood Police Department, was selected as class speaker by his fellow class members and addressed the assembly.
Class honors went to the following:
Overall Top Performer – Anthony D. Dann, Springfield Police Department
Top Academics – DeGerald L. Edwards, Upper Arlington Police Department
Top Firearms – Kenneth D. Bills, Gahanna Police Department
Top Physical Fitness – DeGerald L. Edwards, Upper Arlington Police Department
Top Driving – Kenneth D. Bills, Gahanna Police Department
Chief Keith C. Torbet, Wauseon Police Department, was the featured speaker for the ceremony and addressed an audience of graduates, friends, relatives and law enforcement officers. Colonel Paul A. Pride, Patrol superintendent, provided remarks and presented the certificates of training to the graduates.
