Graduates complete academy standards

The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Academy recently completed its program.

According to Sheriff Ben Trotter, the new reserve deputies are Jason Stritenberger, Joseph McGowan and Dusty Casey.

The Western Nevada State Peace Officer Academy at Western Nevada College recently honored 19 students, preparing them for careers in law enforcement and other criminal justice fields.

Graduating cadets represent seven cities in Northern Nevada. They completed a 30-credit program that includes 756 hours of Category I training, according to Academy Coordinator Katie Durbin. In addition to the academic requirements, cadets must pass a series of fitness and agility tests, including a vertical jump of at least 16 inches, 32 sit-ups in one minute, 30 push-ups in one minute, a 30-meter run in 65 seconds or better, a 1.5 mile run/walk in 15:30 or better, and the Illinois Agility Run.

Western Nevada’s academy is an accelerated program that allows students to continue working while they attend the academy, which meets on evenings and weekends.

WNC Criminal Justice Professor Richard Finn welcomed the graduates, and academy instructor Joe Sanford offered the keynote address.

GRADUATES:

Carson City

Christopher John Ballesteros, Ian Eric Carl, Elan Reese Flores, Kyle Christopher Powell, Shane Everett Roberts, Wade Nicholas Wolford

Fallon

Sam David Ugalde

Gardnerville

Savannah Dawn Cecilia Gray, Joshua Mahlon Teter

Minden

Christopher Michael Lotz

Reno

Brian Kirk Green, Mitchell Shane Hammond, Jesus Lopez-Torres

Sparks

Jordan Montgomery Chmelovsky, Christian Daniel Deriso, Michel Scott Hall, Jesus Marquez Ramos, Jessica Erin Zamora

Washoe Valley

Erik Bartel Wilhelm