LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Rhodes State College Police Academy is helping fill local departments’ need for law enforcement. Sixteen men and women graduated from the academy Friday afternoon.
During 740 hours of intensive training, the cadets learned about firearms, driving techniques, and self-defense, and also earned certifications in areas like first aid and radar. Thanks to their instructors, many of whom are active law enforcement officers and lawyers in the area, the new graduates are ready for their first jobs and will help fill the ranks of local agencies.
“We really appreciate the opportunity to be able to help the local agencies. We don't have to send a cadet three four hours away from their home to get this training. We can do it right here in Lima, Ohio, and push them out to the local counties. Every department has been in need. Numbers have slightly dropped in the area, so we our job here at the police academy is to grow them, to get them to a proficient level, to get them out to the agencies so that they can hit the streets and be ready to go,” said Patrick Green, commander of Rhodes State College Police Academy.
All graduates have jobs lined up after passing their state certifications. Graduates from the 2025 class include Zachary Canterbury, Carter Frey, Hannah Hassan, Cole Haunhorst, Jaiden Haynes, Trey Hensley, Trey Hershey, Jamir Manley, Ivy Parker, Filip Radcliffe, Luke Risner, Mason Seibert, Dalton Smith, Griffin Snider, Victoria Williams, and Kade Wireman.
