The South Shore Press congratulates and thanks the 136 brave men and women who will protect and serve families across Suffolk County, who just graduated from the Suffolk County Police Academy.
The 190th recruit class boasts quite impressive credentials, with 57 having prior law enforcement experience and 25 with military experience.
The recruits prepared with 31 weeks of academy training with more than 1,000 hours of instruction including law, emergency medical training, domestic violence, anti-bias training, mental illness, cultural diversity, terrorism, and body worn camera technology.
“We must rise and meet the expectations of the public. Each of us leaves the academy with a strong foundation to excel and make a difference in our community,” said Suffolk County Police Officer Nicholas Costanza.
“The shield you wear is a symbol of your department, your professionalism, and most importantly, it is a symbol of the trust and faith that the residents of this county have in you,” said SCPD Acting Commissioner Robert Waring.
In addition to the 136 joining the SCPD, 39 will join the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, East Hampton Town Police Department, Farmingdale State College Police Department, Garden City Police Department, Riverhead Town Police Department, Southampton Town Police Department and Southold Town Police Department.
The graduation ceremony took place at Suffolk County Community College’s Grant Campus.
“You are the 190th class to go to our Police Academy. I’m so proud to be looking out at the men and women that are going to keep this county safe, who are going to watch over us, and protect us and watch over us,” concluded Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.