Click here to view a full photo gallery on Facebook
KPD Chief David Rausch and Mayor Madeline Rogero were joined by about 400 family members, City officials and police officers at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, 3232 Alcoa Highway, for a graduation ceremony on August 17, 2017.
The recruits have worked long and hard for 28 weeks at the Academy. They’ll pair up with experienced training officers for another 21 weeks, gaining real-life patrol experience. Combined, the recruits will go through a nearly year-long training program.
For this class of 39 trainees, 462 candidates applied for Academy openings, Mayor Rogero said.
“KPD is getting the cream of the crop,” she told the graduates and their families. About 1 in 12 applicants were accepted and made it through from application to graduation.
The Mayor thanked the Academy graduates for their hard work.
“We appreciate your serious preparation, your commitment and your passion to serve,” she said.
Mayor Rogero also expressed appreciation to the entire KPD family – the current police officers, and those who came before them. The current and former officers created the culture, set the bar and will be there to help mentor the rookies.
Lastly, Mayor Rogero thanked the recruits’ spouses, children, siblings and parents.
“We all know that a career in law enforcement is really a family affair,” she said.
Chief Rausch shared some light-hearted anecdotes about his interactions with the recruits and their tough training regimen – including the so-called “breakfast with the Chief” workout sessions.
“They have earned the right to be called Knoxville police officers,” Chief Rausch said proudly.
Congratulations to KPD’s 2017-A Graduating Class!
2017-A BASIC RECRUIT CLASS
Anthony D. Bradley
Christopher M. Brooks
David C. Chandler
Joseph C. Clabo
Jonathon D. Clabough
Hayden E. Cochran
Caleb M. Coffey
Andrew C. Connell
Conner A. Cox
Terry M. Crowe
Burnett A. Cummings
Anthony T. Estrada
Nathaniel J. Gardin
Jonathan M. Gomez
Ethan D. Grantham
Patrick M. Green
Jordan S. Hardy
Tyler L. Harmon
Bradley C. Heath
Stephen C. Henderson
Melissa M. Hernandez
Gordon R. Johnson
Hunter D. Lehman
Austin L. McCoy
Christopher W. McKinney
Christopher L. Medina
Stephen D. Mercado
Donald R. Mullins
Mark E. Niethammer
Geraldo O. Orta
Christopher G. Ott
Martin S. Rice
Dustin J. Roberts
Dexter D. Rogers
Daniel T. Soldner
Curtis R. Stabler
John W. Steele (KFD)
Ethan F. Thompson
Francisco S. Vargas
Robert C. Wiesenberg