theSheetNews.com

MLPD’s first group of graduates: Back Row: Officer David Scobie, Craig Hansen, Marcia Hansen, Phil Higerd, Harry White, Brian Macklin, Chief Dan Watson Front Row: Sharon Clark, Mara Apodaca, Maria Vasquez, Kara Sopp Not Shown: Mitch Felkel

Ten members of the Mammoth community completed the first Mammoth Lakes Community Police Academy and received certificates from Police Chief Dan Watson on June 30 for completing the eight-week course. The Community Police Academy was recommended by Officer David Scobie who became aware of a similar program while visiting relatives in Oregon. Officer Scobie volunteered to coordinate a similar program in Mammoth Lakes.

The course consisted of eight, three hour sessions. The topics included tours of the police station, use of force, firearms training, narcotics, DUI, traffic enforcement, and meeting with the District Attorney. Members of the Police Department served as instructors.

“The purpose of the Community Police Academy is to educate the public about what their police department does, why and how they do it,” explained Chief Watson. “Graduates come away with a much better understanding of the criminal justice system and the role the Police Department plays in keeping the public safe.”

According to class participant Harry White, “The eight week Mammoth Lakes ‘Community Police Academy’ was most interesting and informative. I was not sure what to expect when I signed up, I’m sure pleased that I did. Acting out traffic stops, breaking up fights, crowd control, etc. provided a unique insight to the real time decisions that police officers face daily. Hands on experiences with firearms and sobriety testing was awesome. This was an excellent opportunity to see inside police work. I recommend residents of Mammoth sign up the next time the academy is offered.”

It is anticipated that future Community Police Academies will be held approximately every six months, depending on community interest. Anyone interested in attending a future Academy should contact Officer Scobie at 760.934.2011, ext. 55, or at dscobie@mammothlakespd.org.

From left to right: Juan Ferro, IT Tech Sacramento, Computers; Madison Hodges, Miramar, Kinesiology; Kjersten Huseth, Mesa College, Undecided; Katelynn Loll, CSU Channel Islands, Nursing; Lillie Pieper, Portland State University, International Studies; Jesse Reyes, Cerro Coso, Undecided; Lauren Bukenberger, SBCC, Psychology; Jiselle Kenny, UCSC, Psychology and Politics; Jack Gephart, Occidental, Undecided; Allie Handley, University of Montana, Cultural Anthropology

Left to right: Fernando Ramírez, Univ. of Mexico Guadalajara, Business; Jenny Clark, UCSC, Psychology; Kristin King, UCSC, Spanish; Bailey Morley, Moorpark College, Kinesiology

Left to right: Alicia Apodaca, U.S. Army; Jackie Leary, Sonoma State, Undecided; Katelin Sentovic, Special Effects Make-Up School; Will Stimson, Montana State, Mechanical Engineering; Melissa German, UCSC, Pre-Med; Eliseo Lopez, SBCC, Criminal Justice; Allison Loll, College of the Canyons, Business; and in the front, Alonso Escobar

Left to right: Garrett Weinert, UCSB, Mechanical Engineering; Bradley Rowan, Feather River College, Wildlife Management; Elijah Clancy, SFSU, Film; Bryce Eller, Deferring Denver University/University of Boulder, Skiing; Aly Vanko, Paul Mitchell Beauty School

Back left to right: Amie Lonza, Deffering St. Lawrence, Skiing; Erica Robinson, Chapman University, Animation; Jimmy Freeman, San Diego Fire Academy; Brenda Kanatsky, Cerro Coso, Undecided. Front row, left to right: Zach Koehn, Western Washington University, Spanish and Linguistics; Kelli Sardella, Cerro Coso, Arts; Cristina Guerrero, IT Tech, Computers; Jessica Limon, Cerro Coso, Nursing

From left to right: Francisco Flores, SBCC, Criminal Justice or Environmental Science; Emilio Fierro, Mt. San Antonio College, Undecided; Juan Lopez, Cerro Coso, Undecided; Martin Villalobos, SBCC, Undecided; Jorge ‘Coco’ Galvan, Santa Clarita, Kinesiology; Hector Villalpando, Santa Clarita, Undecided; Jesus Garcia, Cerro Coso, Undecided; Isidro Vargas, Cerro Coso, Criminal Justice

From left to right: Maria Cortez, Cerro Coso, Computers; Laura Godinez, Cerro Coso, Nursing; Rosa Cortez, Cerro Coso, Undecided; Lizeth Maravillas, Cerro Coso, Dentist; Selene Moreno, Cerro Coso, Nursing; Marilyn Solorio, Cerro Coso, Delivery Nurse; Kassandra Montes, SBCC, Business; Tanner Miller, Art Major; Alejandro Flores, Cerro Coso, Criminal Justice, Transferring to Cal State Fullerton; Eduardo ‘Lalo’ Galvan, Cerro Coso, Undecided

From left to right: Kate DeSalvo, Chapman, Journalism and Photography; Ty Barbo, UCLA, Business and Economic Leadership Development; Keeler Johnston, SDSU, Aerospace Engineering; Sam Knadler (Valedictorian), UCSD, Structural Engineering; Hannah Hein, SFSU, Journalism; Carson Standifer, Montana State, Undecided; Rebecca Cage, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Microbiology; Clint Kasten, Cerro Coso and Skiing in the Dew Tour