Two new police officers will begin patrolling city streets after graduating Friday from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy’s 136th Basic Peace Officer Class.
Bellefontaine Police Department’s new officers Bradley Staley, left, and Andrew Purk take their oaths in August. The two officers graduated the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy’s 136th Basic Peace Officer Training on Friday and will begin working local patrols. (EXAMINER FILE PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST)
Andrew J. Purk and Bradley P. Staley, who were sworn in to the Bellefontaine Police Department in August, were among a class of 37 to complete the 21-week course that offers comprehensive instruction in more than 150 topics, including criminal law, traffic law, community relations, physical training, self-defense, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing and electronic speed measuring devices.
Class members received training certificates during the graduation ceremony, at which Officer Margaret C.D. Blank, Bowling Green State University Police Department, who was selected as class speaker by her fellow class members, addressed the assembly.