48 Officers Graduate from Patrol’s Basic Peace Officer Class

COLUMBUS – Members of the 153rd Basic Peace Officer Class received training certificates during a graduation ceremony held Friday afternoon at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy. The 48 graduates will now assume duties as peace officers for 29 Ohio agencies.

The 21-week basic course began in August. The Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy’s Basic Peace Officer course meets and exceeds the training requirements developed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and offers comprehensive instruction in more than 150 topics, including criminal law, traffic law, community relations, physical training, self-defense, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing and electronic speed measuring devices. The Patrol’s Training Academy is recognized as a “STAR-certified” academy by the Ohio Attorney General for its excellence in training.

Patrick A. Ray, Hamilton Police Department, was selected as class speaker by fellow class members and addressed the assembly.

Class honors went to the following:
Overall Top Performer – Carter J. Jenatscheck, Bedford Heights Police Department
Top Academics – Ethan C. Beekman, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Parks and Watercraft
Top Firearms – Kaden S. Jurosko, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office
Top Physical Fitness – Paul A. Bautista, Columbus State Police Department and Emily M. Watkins, Delaware Police Department
Top Driving – Ethan C. Beekman, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Parks and Watercraft

Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson was the keynote speaker for the ceremony and addressed an audience of graduates, friends, relatives and law enforcement officers. Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent, provided remarks. Following his remarks, a certificate of training was presented to each graduate.