Moore Norman Technology Center’s first Basic Peace Officer Academy class graduated Dec. 11 during a socially-distanced ceremony held at the South Penn Campus. Each of the six graduates already has employment secured with law enforcement agencies.

MNTC Superintendent & CEO Brian Ruttman gave the welcome and spoke of his pride in the graduates and of being able to support law enforcement agencies in Cleveland and Oklahoma counties and in Oklahoma. Ruttman noted that MNTC and Tulsa Technology Center are the only CLEET authorized training centers in Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.

MNTC Basic Police Officer Academy 2020 graduates are: Stephen Flanagan, Benjamin Hoffman, Wesley Ivy, Sarah Sladek, Demetrius Smith and Joshua Winkler.

A Leadership Fitness Award was presented to Smith and a Marksmanship Award was presented to Hoffman.

A joint honor guard comprised of Cleveland County, Moore Police Department and Norman Police Department officers presented the United States flag. There were many law enforcement representatives on-hand for the ceremony including Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason, who also gave the keynote address. Cleveland County District Judge Michael Tupper guided graduates through their oath of office and law enforcement agency representatives presented them with their badges. Also in attendance were Cleveland County Undersheriff Kent Ritchie and Comanche Police Chief William “Bill” Straily.

MNTC Basic Police Officer Academy Instructor Robert Wasoski said four graduates will be certified deputies for Cleveland County, one was offered a job with the Comanche Police Department and one recently completed a final interview with Lighthorse Tribal Police.

“The students have great attitudes and were eager to learn, which made instructing them very easy. Having a 100% placement rate with this first class is a benchmark that we want to achieve with each new class,” Wasoski said. “The commitment that MNTC has shown with the program will make us the leader in law-enforcement training for the metro area and the state.”

MNTC Director of Safety & Security Jerry McConnell was instrumental in the development of the program and said, “We had amazing support of MNTC’s Board, administration and our agency partners. Our staff and Instructional Design & Development team were fantastic developing what was needed for the students and for the program.

“Even as we faced huge challenges like Covid, we adapted and overcame every obstacle. I haven’t felt this level of pride in a long time; watching the students graduate and seeing their families was really beyond words.”

Wasoski said, “The Basic Police Officer Academy at MNTC is second to none, for its scope and quality of training. Beyond the basic CLEET academy, MNTC also strives to place graduates in law enforcement positions and return current officers to their departments with a more complete understanding and ability to do their job.”

McConnell said he believes the MNTC instructors are exceptional, highly-qualified professionals who are the key to providing quality training.

“To watch our instructors provide feedback and debrief on every aspect of training allows the cadets to develop habits that will serve them well throughout their career,” McConnell said.

The second BPOC class has 18 students enrolled and begins in January. To begin the application process for MNTC’s Basic Peace Officer Academy, those interested must start by participating in a free orientation. The next orientation sessions are available either March 1 or March 6.

To learn more about MNTC’s four-month Basic Police Officer Certification Academy, or to sign up for a BPOC orientation, visit mntc.edu/bpoc or call 405-801-5000.

PHOTO CAPTION: MNTC Director of Campus Safety & Security Jerry McConnell, Sarah Sladek, Wesley Ivy, Benjamin Hoffman, Stephen Flanagan, Demetrius Smith, Joshua Winkler and MNTC Basic Peace Officer Academy Instructor Sgt. Robert Wasoski.