Mon, Aug 14th, 2023 - 9:40am
August 15, 2022 - 6:00pm | By Kyle Cornell
(West Fargo, ND) -- 18 students are set to graduate from the West Fargo Police Department's first ever class of the local Peace Officer Academy.
The 14-week program, which West Fargo PD partners with Lake Region State College with, allows an individual to become a licensed peace officer in the state of North Dakota, and has nearly a 100% employment rate for graduates who pursue positions as full-time police officers in the state.
“We are excited to announce that 12 students have already been offered conditional jobs in law enforcement throughout the region," said West Fargo Police Chief Denis Otterness. "The department looks forward to a continued partnership with Lake Region State College for future academies in West Fargo to support public safety throughout North Dakota."
The Peace Officer Academy is a 14-week rigorous training program. Students complete physical fitness training every morning and classroom hours from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Instructors cover a variety of topics ranging from crime scene processing to North Dakota criminal law.
Lake Region State College is the only college in the state authorized to deliver a North Dakota POST basic curriculum.
Graduation takes place this Thursday, August 18th at 11 a.m. at West Fargo High.
