MPD WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS

13 RECRUITS SLATED TO GRADUATE TONIGHT

This Friday evening, at 6:00 p.m., a graduation ceremony for 13 new Madison Police officers will be held at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center. Recruits have chosen one of their instructors, Sgt. Mike Koval, to deliver the commencement address. This is the Madison Police Department's (MPD) 53rd Pre-Service Academy. Class members range in age from 21 to 40; all have bachelor's degrees; three hold master's degrees. "Consistent with previous classes, this year's group of recruits is highly diverse in terms of life, work and educational experiences," said Lt. Tom Woodmansee of the MPD's Training and Personnel division. Recruits began a nine month training journey when they took the oath of office on May 24, 2010. During the first six months, they were immersed in topics paramount to protecting and serving Madison: professional communication, defense and arrest tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operation, and vehicle contacts. "The MPD prides itself on an exceedingly comprehensive regimen of relational skills, constitutional law, investigations, community policing, and problem solving," said Lt. Woodmansee. For the past three months, recruits were partnered with veteran officers who provided transitional guidance: from classrooms to streets. On January 30th, recruits will go "solo." They'll be assigned to patrol services, working evenings and nights.