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Issue date: 7/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: ULEA Lt. J. Fuchs Utah Law Enforcement Academy Graduates: (Top Row) J. Davis, W. Kehl, Capt. K. Burton, J. Olson, K. Christensen (Middle Row) Srgt. D. Mac Innes, J. Howey, N. Boyette, J. Kelley (Bottom Row) B. Wells, C. Carlson, Director J. Richards, Lt. J. Fuchs, J. Brock

When South Ogden Police Chief Val Shupe spoke at the graduation of 11 Northern Utah Regional Training Academy police cadets at Weber State University last Thursday, he gave them plenty of advice.

"You want to be safe," he told the graduating class. "Make sure you are taking care of yourself. Don 't cover up what you know is wrong."

He stressed the importance of being a police officer and the social responsibility they would carry.

"Other than your family and God, this piece of tin (in reference to an officer's badge) is the most important thing to you," he said. "Honor the profession you've been given. You are held to a higher standard in the public's eye."

Jack Richards, director of the Utah Law Enforcement Academy at WSU, emphasized the importance of staying clean.

"A police officer is a leader," he said. "Stay honest and keep your integrity."

Shupe said the problem internet crimes and the continuing. He said didn't deal with those issues at the beginning of his career, but he said they face them every day.

The graduating cadets endured a 17-week course in which they became proficient in physical fitness, using firearms, and improving their output in academics. Many of them received awards at graduation for their excellence in these categories.

Joshua Brock and William Kehl earned an award for superior physical fitness; Kevin Christensen, Jed Davis, Jeremy Howey, Jamie Olsen, and Brody Wells received excellent physical fitness awards. They awarded Chad Carlson with the overall fitness award, and chose to give him the overall achievement award.

Kehl was recognized as most improved shooter, and Wells received the award for best shooting score overall. Kevin Burton received the academic award for having the highest test scores.

After certificates of achievement were given out, and the diploma presentation concluded, the 11 graduating men lifted their right hands and recited the code of ethics, which graduating cadets in Utah have recited since 1968.

Christensen, one of the graduating cadets, spoke at the end of the ceremony, sharing memories of goof-ups and moments the cadets shared in their 17 weeks together.

"They are all going to make excellent officers," he said. "They have good hearts and want to do good in their community."

Christensen emphasized their graduation served as a small step in their careers.

"Today is not our victory," he said. "One day when we save a life or help our community, that will be our victory."

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