33 new officers graduate from Central Texas Police Academy

COLLEGE STATION – Thirty-three new peace officers have graduated from the Central Texas Police Academy after 18 weeks of comprehensive classroom and hands-on training. The class achieved a 100% passing rate on the Texas Peace Officer Licensing Exam, administered by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

Sheriff Joel Richardson, TCOLE Chair, delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, which was held at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at Texas A&M University on June 3.

TEEX Deputy Director Al Davis welcomed the class and their guests to the graduation ceremony, and Cullen Grissom also addressed the graduates. Awards were presented by Division Director Elizabeth Morris, and Academy Training Manager Lee Santo and Davis awarded the certificates. Other members of the academy staff are Larry Frye, Kyle McNew, Christine Ramirez, Jan Meyer-Brickley, David Church and Robin Crawford. Guest instructors were also recognized at the ceremony.

Many of the new officers have already been sworn in and begun their duties with area police departments in Bryan, College Station, Giddings, Brenham and Texas A&M University, as well as with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s a great foundation to build off of going into my career,” said Officer Craig Anderson Jr. with the Texas A&M University Police Department. “TEEX provides excellent instruction. Great instructors come out and teach us different things about how to be a great police officer, how to conduct yourself in the public and how to deal with real-life situations.”

“TEEX will definitely put you at the top of your game,” said Officer Anesse Oukil with the College Station Police Department. “They will get you thinking outside the box. I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since playing soccer. This place gets you in tip-top shape and gets your mind focused.”

The next daytime Basic Peace Officer Course begins Aug. 1, 2016. Learn more.

About the Central Texas Police Academy
Recognized as the oldest statewide law enforcement extension training agency in Texas, the Central Texas Police Academy at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) has been preparing future officers for successful careers in law enforcement since the 1940s. Graduates have a long-standing record of a high passing rate on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing examination and are recruited by law enforcement agencies throughout the state.