The officers of the 46th Municipal Police Officers Class graduated last week at Holyoke Community College.
Amherst police officers Rudis R. Rodriguez, Jessica L. Damon and Johanlet Medrano graduated from the Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy, in Springfield, Massachusetts, on July 27, 2011 and have begun their 12 week field officer training program. Graduates of the 46th Municipal Police Officers’ Class of the Western Massachusetts Police Academy are beginning their tenure in local police departments.
Having three new officers is “just wonderful,” said Longmeadow Police Chief Robert F. Siano. “They are outstanding individuals.
“It’s nice to have new blood. They are young, enthusiastic. If they can keep that up for 30 years ...”
Siano said the new officers have been riding with other officers as training, doing park-and-walks, and talking to shopkeepers.
Most of the new officers “have had this aspiration for a lifetime,” said Sergeant Jeffrey Dalessio of the East Longmeadow Police Department.
East Longmeadow welcomed Officer James E. Gagnon. He has been sworn in and is getting additional in-house training, said Dalessio.
Other graduates now working in local police departments include class president Jeffrey K. Forcier, who is on the job in Holland; vice president Eric R. Alexander, in Easthampton; treasurer Brent P. Noyes in Northampton; and secretary Johanlet Medrano in Amherst.
First squad leader Francisco J. Lopez is in West Springfield; third squad leader Kyle M. Gribi, Agawam; fourth squad leader Kalju V. Lee, Northampton; fifth squad leader Megan E. Gilbert, Montague; and class guide Larry S. Kelly, West Springfield.
Other class members and their departments are: Andrew S. Carney, Northampton; Michael J. Csekovsky, Westfield; Jessica L. Damon, Amherst; Daniel J. Distefano, West Springfield; Daniel P. Fernandes, Southwick; Ricardo G. Funch, Ludlow; Michael J. Gibbons, Westfield; Daniel V. Gryzbowski, Agawam; William I. Lebrun, Northampton.
Also Brandon J. Mahoney, Longmeadow; Michael W. Matroni, West Springfield; Brett T. Morgan, Northampton; John R. Parrish, Westfield; John R. Perry II, Northampton; Danielle Rex, Longmeadow; Rudis R. Rodriguez, Amherst; Timothy S. Rogers Jr., Monson; Robert F. Sheehan III, Palmer; Frank A. Soleimani, Westfield; Anthony C. Sotolotto, Northampton; and Amanda Van Buskirk, Longmeadow.
The officers graduated in a ceremony July 27 at Holyoke Community College.