MTI Law Enforcement Academy graduation

The Manatee Technical Institute Law Enforcement Academy graduated eight basic recruits last night.

Class leader Graham W. Cook presented Academy Director Jay Romine with the class plaque.  Two of four special awards went to Cook for Class Leader and the Highest Academic Achievement award.  The Dale Earnhardt Best Driver Award went to Jerard E. Vonador.  The Top Gun Award went to classmate David Hyun Woong Cho.   Other graduates included Assistant Class Leader Joshua G. Breitwieser, Michael R. Dunois, Nicholas R. Ferreri, William B. Mulligan Jr., and Michael J. Scharf.

Guest speaker Chief Michael Radzilowski of the Bradenton Police Department addressed the class.  Radzilowski told graduates to remember three important skills for a law enforcement officer: problem solving, customer service, and listening.  He also encouraged them to put family first.

Chief Rick Wells, Palmetto Police Department, gave the invocation and benediction.  MTI Director Mary Cantrell, PhD, gave the opening remarks.

There were two firsts for this graduation: It was the first time the graduation was held at the new Main Campus on State Road 70, and it was the first graduation under the new Academy Director Jay Romine.  In closing remarks, Romine reminded graduates to maintain professionalism at all times and congratulated them for graduating from one of the toughest academies in the state.

Successful completion of the Law Enforcement Academy at MTI makes one eligible to take the State Certification Examination for Law Enforcement, the required test to become a Certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida.  For more information on the MTI Law Enforcement Academy, please contact Director Romine at rominej@manateeschools.net.