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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">August 23, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Christian Tabak
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.289.9516
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Toni Messina
<br />Communications and Outreach Supervisor
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7660</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police welcome nine new police academy graduates</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - Eight new patrol officers and an airport safety officer were sworn in to City service on Monday, Aug. 22. The new officers graduated Aug. 19 from the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI), representing one of the Columbia Police Department’s largest graduating classes of the last five years.<br /><br />Joining the Department as patrol officers are Dalton Alvey, Kevin Barrett, Logan Distler, Donald Frigon, Keegan Jones, James Morris, Jonathan Quirarte and Maurico Wilson. Doug Stafford joined as an airport safety officer and will be working at the Columbia Regional Airport.<br /><br />"We are excited to welcome such a large graduating class, and I am proud of the commitment these officers have made to keep people safe and take care of this community," said Acting Police Chief Jill Schlude. "We will do all we can to support them and their families."<br /><br />To reach gr
aduation, officers completed more than 700 hours of academy training over the course of 16 weeks. Their education began in May and covered topics including legal studies, practical skills training, interpersonal and cultural competencies, physical fitness and more.<br /><br />While in the academy, several of the Department’s recruits were recognized for their leadership potential. Alvey was elected class president, while Frigon and Jones served as squad leaders.<br /><br />Several recruits were recognized for their outstanding achievements.<br />
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<li>Dalton Alvey - First place, defensive tactics achievement</li>
<li>Donald Frigon - First place, physical fitness achievement</li>
<li>James Morris - Most improved in physical fitness</li>
<li>Keegan Jones - Second place, firearms achievement</li>
<li>Kevin Barrett - Perfect attendance</li>
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Now that they have been sworn in, the officers will transition to the Department’s field training program for approximately 16 weeks. During this time the new officers will be paired with experienced field training officers who will provide guidance and oversee their progress on all aspects of Columbia policing, including law enforcement and community relations. <br /><br />The addition of these nine new officers is the result of an intense recruitment campaign over the last few months. CPD staff visit law enforcement training academies and host recruitment events. Each employee is empowered to reach out and connect with potential recruits.<br /><br />"Sending this many recruits through the academy is representative of the tireless efforts put forth by the Department’s Training and Recruitment Unit to address ongoing staffing needs," said Lt. Chad Gooch with the Department’s Special Services Bureau. "We recruit in a variety of ways so we reach
applicants from many walks of life, and we hope we find those individuals that have the desire to contribute to our community in a positive way."<br /><br />Five more recruits are currently enrolled for LETI’s fall training academy that begins Aug. 29.<br /><br /><br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Image cutline:</strong> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police Department’s graduating class of recruits pose for a photo following their graduation from the Law Enforcement Training Institute Friday, Aug. 19. From left: Donald Frigon, Maurico Wilson, Doug Stafford, James Morris, Kevin Barrett, Jonathan Quiarate, Dalton Alvey, Keegan Jones and Logan Distler.</span></em></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2888">CPD 2022 graduating class</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2889">CPD police employment QR code</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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