“I think we have the best police academy in the state of Texas – hands down,” exclaimed Tom Shehan, director of TEEX’s Public Safety and Security Division. “We take pride in the fact that we put prepared police officers on the streets.”Shehan was the first person to speak to the 23 recruits who attended the orientation for the 142nd class of the Central Texas Police Academy (CTPA).
But most of the talking was done by TEEX police academy training director Lee Santo, or “Mr. Santo,” as he will be called by the cadets for the duration of the 17-week academy.
After serving four years in the Marine Corps as a squad leader for a mortar platoon, Mr. Santo began his career in law enforcement. He served stints as a deputy sheriff and K-9 handler, a municipal peace officer detective and swat officer, and as a state police officer with the Alcohol and Beverage Commission. He has been instructing for over 15 years and was previously the Police Academy Coordinator and Director of Public Safety at Wharton Junior College.
After Mr. Shehan and Mr. Santo welcomed them, the cadets had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the people with whom they will be spending the majority of the next four months. Some were timid and apprehensive, but all were proud to be there.
“I have grown up around peace officers all my life,” one cadet boasted. “I just don’t see any other way to make a living.”
After serving four years in the Marine Corps as a squad leader for a mortar platoon, Mr. Santo began his career in law enforcement. He served stints as a deputy sheriff and K-9 handler, a municipal peace officer detective and swat officer, and as a state police officer with the Alcohol and Beverage Commission. He has been instructing for over 15 years and was previously the Police Academy Coordinator and Director of Public Safety at Wharton Junior College.After Mr. Shehan and Mr. Santo welcomed them, the cadets had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the people with whom they will be spending the majority of the next four months. Some were timid and apprehensive, but all were proud to be there.
“I have grown up around peace officers all my life,” one cadet boasted. “I just don’t see any other way to make a living.”
Some of the cadets are sponsored and paid for by a jurisdiction, some are sponsored but not paid for by the jurisdiction, and some are paying their own way without a sponsorship in hopes of finding a job once they graduate form the academy.
The following is a list of the cadet’s affiliations:
College Station P.D. - 4
Texas A&M University P.D. - 3
Unaffiliated - 3
Bryan P.D. - 2
Bryan F.D. - 2
Brazos County Sheriff’s Office - 2
Grimes County Sheriff’s Office - 1
Washington County Sheriff’s Office - 1
Madison County Sheriff’s Office - 1
Tulia P.D. - 1
Hearne P.D. - 1
Navasota P.D. - 1
Texas Parks and Wildlife - 1
In addition, the following list will give you a feel for the diverse group of people who will begin the 142nd CTPA.
Oldest - 47
Youngest - 20 (2)
Ages 20-24 - 11
Ages 25-29 - 3
Ages 30-39 - 8
Ages 40+ - 1
Married - 8
Single - 13
Engaged - 2
Have children - 9 (one cadet has seven!!)
Family history of police work - 6
Military background - 4
The academy officially begins Monday, February 11, at 8:00 a.m. We will see you then. Let the fun begin!
0 comments:
Post a Comment