HELENA – At a ceremony this morning, the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) graduated 55 new officers who will serve various agencies across the state.
The Academy is operated by the Montana Department of Justice; it provides basic and advanced training for state, county, city and tribal law enforcement officers throughout the state.
The ceremony took place at the Civic Center in Helena, and included remarks from Bryan Lockerby, Administrator of the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, MLEA Administrator Glen Stinar, MLEA Training Officer Jeff Wilson, and class representative Jake Barzen of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Montana Supreme Court Justice James Rice administered the oath of office.
In addressing the class, Bryan Lockerby, whose own law enforcement career spans 36 years, highlighted advancements in training and equipment available to today’s graduates.
“You enter the law enforcement world with higher levels of education, more intensive police academy training, and resources at your fingertips we could never have imagined just a few decades ago,” Lockerby said. “You are entering a complicated world that is expecting much of you, and I commend your willingness to do something so extraordinary,” Lockerby added.
Several of the graduates received awards for their performance during training:
- Jake Barzen received the Don Williams Award, which is given to the officer elected by the class as Class Representative. The award is given in memory of Thompson Falls Police Chief Don Williams, who was killed in the line of duty in 1974.
- Jake Barzen also received the Health and Physical Fitness Award, which is given to the officer who participates and excels in the Hard Rock Challenge and achieves the class’s best score in the Montana Physical Abilities Test.
- Jake Barzen also received the Paul Williams Award, which is given to the officer who provided inspiration to the staff and students through a display of unwavering dedication and determination. The award is given in memory of the late Chouteau County Sheriff Paul Williams.
- Christopher Duke received the Jack Wiseman Award, which is given to the officer selected by his/her peers as the most outstanding officer. The officers of each class select the recipient by considering two questions:
- 1) If you were a law enforcement agency administrator, who would you most want to hire?
2) If it were 2:00 a.m. and things were going bad quickly, who would you most want to know was coming to help you? - The award is given in tribute to Jack Wiseman, who served as a training officer and commander at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for more than 22 years.
- Christopher Benson received the Joe May Award, which is given to the officer who displays exceptional leadership and motivation. The award is given in honor of the late Joe May, one of the people credited with the conception and creation of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
- Tyler Woods received the Glenn Janes Award, which is given to the student who demonstrates the highest level of proficiency in the Police Vehicle Operation Course. The award is given in memory of the late Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Glenn Janes, who served as a driving instructor at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
- Christopher Benson also received the Jimmy Kaaro award, which is given to the officer who achieves the highest level of academic standing in each class. The award is given in honor of retired Fergus County Sheriff Jimmy Kaaro.
- Kilee Bartschi received the Josh Rutherford Award, which is given to the officer who achieves the highest scores in defensive tactics. The award is given in memory of Blaine County Deputy Sheriff Josh Rutherford, who was a defensive tactics instructor with the Montana Law Enforcement Academy when he lost his life in the line of duty in 2003.
- Kilee Bartschi also received the Alex Mavity Award, which is given to the student who achieves the highest accumulated score on all academic and skills-based training. The award is given in honor of Billings Police Department Detective Alex Mavity, who was killed in the line of duty in 1989.
- T’Elle Evans received the Hal Vogelsang Award, which is given to the officer who displays the highest degree of fidelity as determined by Academy staff. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional qualities of honor, pride, integrity, duty, loyalty, and service to not only the class, but the staff and entire profession. The award is given in honor of Hal Vogelsang, who served as an FBI special agent for more than 36 years, and as a training officer at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for more than 25 years.
- Christopher Duke also received the Allen Kimery Award, which is given in recognition of outstanding marksmanship and the class’s highest ranking in firearms training through marksmanship, safety, and tactical proficiency. The award is given in memory of Missoula County Sheriff Deputy Allen Kimery, who was killed in the line of duty in 1984.
The roster of Class #166 is available here.
Big day for @MontanaFWP Game Warden Haden Hussey: Graduate from #Montana Law Enforcement Academy – check. Propose to girlfriend Nicole Bilodeau – check. Best wishes to the happy couple! @MontanaDCI #mtnews pic.twitter.com/CsM1OVeN5v
— Tim Fox (@AGTimFox) December 7, 2018
