Sixteen cadets graduated from Herkimer County Community College’s Pre-Employment Police Academy on Saturday, June 1. It was the first class to graduate from the new program, which is a partnership between Little Falls Police Department and Herkimer College.
Tom Carinci was chosen unanimously by his peers to speak on their behalf at the ceremony. Carinci had always wanted to be a police officer, but until this program started, he did not see any opportunity to get into the profession. At 50 years old, he was unable to take the civil service test to get hired by a police department due to his age. As a result of entering this program, he was hired part-time by Little Falls Police Department and part-time by the Village of Frankfort Police Department. He has since retired from his career at Birnie Bus and accepted as a campus safety officer at Herkimer College.
“To become a police officer is an honor and a privilege. Many of us have dreamed about this moment growing up. We now have the opportunity of going forward realizing our dreams and putting our training into use,” said Carinci.
Retired Little Falls Police Chief and Program Director Michael Masi said, “This program has provided opportunities for people that they may never have had. By putting themselves through 85 percent of the New York State required basic course for police, they have not only demonstrated their abilities and commitment to the profession, but they also have made themselves marketable to communities at a significant cost savings.”
Graduates with the Class of 2019 are:
- Meagan C. Bedell (Fort Hunter, NY)
- Jarrett E. Brown (Oneonta, NY)
- David M. Budzitowski (Hauppauge, NY)
- Nicolas R. Burak (Amsterdam, NY)
- Thomas J. Carinci (Newport, NY)
- Justin S. Case (Saint Johnsville, NY)
- Jesse Cheney (Gloversville, NY)
- Eric Fernandez (Amsterdam, NY)
- John S. Klimacek (Little Falls, NY)
- Colton P. Lucas (Mohawk, NY)
- Marvin D. Maldonado (Ballston Spa, NY)
- Liam P. Rockwell (Jefferson, NY)
- Andrew R. Sheppard (Cold Brook, NY)
- Terrell A. Silvera (Hartwick, NY)
- Ryan R. Wilmot (Fonda, NY)
- Anthony Young (Johnstown, NY)
The program at Herkimer College prepares students for a career as a police officer prior to being hired by a law enforcement agency. Although the program does not guarantee admissions into a police department, every standard required by a full-time basic police academy applies including academics, attendance, and physical fitness. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a transcript and a certificate indicating completion of Phase 1 of Pre-Employment Police Basic Training. This certificate gives students two years to secure employment in a police department and complete the Phase II portion of the training before being awarded a full Basic School Certificate from the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Phase II training is presented only to sworn police officers and contains the remainder of police training units which civilian students are prohibited by state law from participating in.
For more information about the Pre-Employment Police Academy, visit www.herkimer.edu/police.
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