Local students graduate from Herkimer College Police Academy

Herkimer College graduated its fourth class from the Phase I Pre-Employment Police Basic Training course at a ceremony held on Thursday, June 2, 2022. The course is offered in partnership with the Little Falls Police Department.

Members of the 2022 graduating class are William Bateholts, of St. Johnsville; Darya Don, of Jordanville; Elijah Griffin, of Interlaken; Michael Hagan, of Herkimer; Nathan Jenkins, of Cold Brook; Giosue Lanza, of Cooperstown; Katarenna Pate, of Mohawk; Tyler Perkins of Dolgeville; and Neiko Scarano, of Little Falls.

Pictured from left to right, Herkimer College Director of Campus Safety Timothy Rogers,William Bateholts, Darya Don, Elijah Griffin, Michael Hagan, Nathan Jenkins, Giosue Lanza, Katarenna Pate, Tyler Perkins, Neiko Scarano, Phase I Pre-Employment Police Basic Training Program Director Michael Masi, and Drill Instructor Dave Morrissey.

All nine graduates have already secured employment as police officers within a variety of departments including Herkimer County, Village of Dolgeville, City of Little Falls, the villages of Canajoharie and St. Johnsville, and Seneca County. The officers will complete the remainder of their training with their departments.

According to former Little Falls Police Chief and Program Director Michael Masi, this training offers an experience that is unparalleled.

“This program provides opportunities for participants that they may never have had,” said Masi. “By putting themselves through 85 percent of the required New York State Basic Course for Police they have not only demonstrated their abilities and commitment to the profession, but they have also made themselves marketable to communities at a significant savings.  The men and women that are successful at completing this course have truly achieved something worthy of being proud of.  They have proved they are ready and competent to enter a career in one of the most noble professions.”

Herkimer College’s Pre-Employment Police Academy launched in Fall 2018. Coursework covers topics such as criminal investigations, community relations, emergency preparedness, defensive tactics and more.

For more information about the Pre-Employment Police Academy, visit Herkimer.edu/police.