The Washtenaw Community College Police Academy celebrated its 55th graduating class on Friday, September 5 at 2|42 Community Church in Ann Arbor.
Recruits in the 42-member Class of 2025 are now employed by 20 different law enforcement agencies around the state of Michigan, including six located in Washtenaw County: the Chelsea Police Department, Eastern Michigan University Police Department, University of Michigan Division of Public Safety, Washtenaw Community College Public Safety Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Ypsilanti Police Department.
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In his Class President address, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office recruit Anthony Stewart reminded his classmates that when they put on their uniforms and badges, they “assume the role of guardian, protectors of public safety.”
“This is not just a title, it’s a calling,” Stewart said. “We are the line between good and evil, and it’s our duty to uphold the values that keep our communities safe. Embrace this role with pride and recognize the honor it brings.”
WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca and Executive Vice President for Instruction Dr. Brandon Tucker each offered words of encouragement to the graduating class. Joyce VanMeter, Senior Director of WCC Public Safety Training, wrapped up the ceremony by recapping what the academy graduates had accomplished over the previous 18 weeks of training.
“I encourage you to remain focused on continuing education and training. Practice, practice, practice,” VanMeter said. “Be proud of the profession you have chosen, be honest with yourself at all times, and be the officers we know you can be.”
VanMeter explained to gathered family and friends that each member of the graduating class completed more than 805 hours of classroom and hands-on training, earning 19 credits from WCC in the process.
The curriculum includes:
- 86 hours of firearms classroom and range instruction
- 80 hours of legal instruction
- 67 hours of subject control instruction
- 50 hours of physical fitness training
- 40 hours of emergency vehicle operation training
- 24 hours of first aid training
- 8 hours of health and wellness
- Many additional hours of cultural diversity, unbiased policing, law enforcement active de-escalation strategies, interpersonal communications, and more.
The graduation ceremony included a traditional presentation of certificates and a pinning ceremony, during which recruits received the badge of their new employer — some from their new supervisor, others from family or loved ones.
The graduates also walked a receiving line of active and retired law enforcement officers in attendance, symbolizing a welcome into the profession.
AWARD WINNERS
During the ceremony, VanMeter introduced a new award – the Inspiration Award – which
was presented to part-time instructor Fred Stanton (right).
One of 115 instructors who contribute to the academy training, Stanton retired as a sergeant from the Dearborn Police Department and as Training Director of the Wayne County Regional Police Academy before joining the WCC Police Academy.
Stanton was one of VanMeter’s trainers when she completed the police academy in 1995.
“He was this tall man with a booming voice who was a mix of frightening and inspiring,” VanMeter recalled. “He was all business, but at the same time was able to stir a desire in us recruits to achieve the goals he laid out. … I began to believe in myself courtesy of Fred Stanton, the instructor.”
Thirty years later, recruits continue to praise Stanton’s commitment to training and his profession. Graduates Isabella DiCicco (Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office) and Brock Fitzpatrick (Jackson Police Department) took turns stepping to the podium and praising Stanton’s discipline and calm demeanor as having a positive impact on their training.
The academy Class of 2025 voted to present the following awards:
Favorite Instructor: Steven Kramer, Chief of Green Oak Charter Township Police Department
Most Dedicated Instructor: James Meldrum, Sergeant at Brighton Police Department
Most Influential Instructor: Alan Hunt, Lieutenant at Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office (retired)
Most Valuable Person: Patrick Downey, Conference Events Director at WCC
Police Academy instructors returned the favor and bestowed the following awards upon
graduates:
MCOLES Outstanding Recruit Award: Craig Sinclair, University of Michigan (right)
High Academic Achievement: Craig Sinclair (96.14%), University of Michigan
Subject Control Excellence Award: Judson Beeman, University of Michigan
Emergency Vehicle Operations Excellence Award: Alexander Lehman, Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office
Firearms Excellence Award: Drew Dykstra, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office
Firearms Instructors Award: Brian Gellasch, Washtenaw Community College
Physical Fitness Excellence Award: Shane Sovik, South Lyon Police Department
Physical Fitness Dedication Award: Timothy Owens, Redford Township Police Department
‘Train Like Troy’ Award: Judson Beeman, University of Michigan
MEET THE GRADUATES
The 42-member graduating class will serve communities across Washtenaw County and beyond. They include:
Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety: Aly Ackley
Chelsea Police Department: Dylan Overton
East Lansing Police Department: Noah Scyzoryk
Eastern Michigan University Police Department: Mackynzi Pace
Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office: Aaron Greaves, Jacob Lask-McLemore, Alexander Lehman
Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office: Joel Burkhart
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office: Anthony Stewart
Jackson Police Department: Jerry Beekel, Brock Fitzpatrick, Sherman Smith
Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office: Drew Dykstra, Kira Furgeson
Monroe City Police Department: Mikayla Stanifer
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office: Brady Cicero, Jayston Dye, Tanner Goss, Brayden Jewell, Jakob Patterson, Mikayla Taylor
Plymouth Township Police Department: Khaled Hamawi
Redford Township Police Department: Timothy Owens, Xhesika Zaimaj
Riverview Police Department: Desmend Roberts
South Lyon Police Department: Ryan Boote, Jacob Hoisington, Shane Sovik
University of Michigan Police Department: Judson Beeman, Sarah Clement, Jordan Jones, Joseph Mangner, Craig Sinclair
Washtenaw Community College Public Safety: Brian Gellasch, Carter Thompson
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office: Ethan Beck, Isabella DiCicco, Stephan Essayan, Nicholas Saley, Greg Storm, Chloe Toth
Ypsilanti Police Department: Jason Bond
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Learn more about the WCC Police Academy and its application process.
Tags: Class of 2025, Graduation, Police Academy, Public Safety, Public Service Training