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PCC Hosts Police Academy Graduation June 13

June 12, 2012

Tucson, AZ -- Pima Community College Public Safety and Emergency Services Institute will hold a graduation ceremony on Wednesday for 13 cadets who have completed the Law Enforcement Academy.

“Our graduates have completed an intensive, rigorous training program,” said Kirk Simmons, the retired Tucson Police Department officer who is PCC’s Law Enforcement Training Instructor. “They each have demonstrated a commitment to law enforcement and public safety. I have no doubt they will all embark on successful careers.”

Among the graduates is Robert Cox, who currently is going through the application process and background check with the Oro Valley Police Department. 

“Pima’s academy was the perfect program for me,” said Cox, who worked full-time as an animal control officer while going through the Law Enforcement Academy.  “Every instructor was top-notch and an expert on the subject matter being taught.”    

If recent headlines are any indication, Cox and his fellow graduates can count on great job opportunities. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Tucson Police Department announced recently that will be hiring new officers. Starting salary for officers in Tucson is $45,000 a year.

According to Simmons, 80 to 90 percent of the cadets receive job offers from local police departments within 30 days of graduation. 

PCC offers a Certificate for Direct Employment and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement. Students who complete the program requirements and pass the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board exam are eligible for employment as an Arizona Peace Officer. 

The following is a list of the graduating cadets:

John Abbott

Robert Cox Jr.

Ronald Davis

Michael Green

Kevin Heilig

Hector Hernandez

Ivan Iniguez

Tomasz Kluczek

Troy Lansdale

Ralph Anthony Luna Jr.

Isaac Tzintzun

Luis Valenzuela

Scott Wiegel

  • What:  Pima Community College Law Enforcement Academy Graduation Ceremony
  • When: 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2012
  • Where: Pima Community College Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre, West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road.
  • Media: Welcome

 The academy hosts one graduation class a year and is currently accepting applications for new cadets. To learn more about PCC’s Law Enforcement Academy, call (520) 206-6350 or psi@pima.edu.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu