Colonel Melissa Zebley, the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, announces the graduation ceremonies for the 99th Delaware State Police and 95th Municipal Recruit Class. The graduation ceremony was held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9th, 2023, at Dover High School. The ceremonies recognized and commemorated the successful completion of the Delaware State Police Training Academy and consisted of 13 Delaware State Troopers and 6 Municipal Officers representing the Bethany Beach Police Department, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control- Division of Parks and Recreation, University of Delaware Police Department, Middletown Police Department, and Smyrna Police Department.

 

 

Dignitaries who addressed the class:

 

Governor John Carney

Attorney General Kathy Jennings

Secretary Nathaniel McQueen Jr.

Colonel Melissa Zebley

 

Class Speaker:

 

Officer Gregory Contorno, Bethany Beach Police Department

 

Class Awards:

 

Trooper Jai’Rae Hammond (DSP) – Physical Fitness Award

Awarded to the Recruit that demonstrated outstanding overall excellence in Physical Fitness during training

 

Trooper Mitchell Leslie (DSP) – Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award

Awarded to the Delaware State Police Recruit that demonstrated the highest proficiency in marksmanship and dedication to the art of shooting

 

Officer Samuel Jester (UDPD) – Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award

Awarded to the Municipal Recruit that demonstrated the highest proficiency in marksmanship and dedication to the art of shooting

 

Officer Lori Ferguson (DNREC P&R) – DSP Law Enforcement Core Values Award

Awarded to the Recruit that most exemplified the spirit of the Academy’s Core Values of Honor, Integrity, Courage, Loyalty, Attitude, Discipline, and Service

 

Trooper Colby Collins (DSP) – Secretary of Safety & Homeland Security Award

Awarded to the Recruit whose abilities & actions demonstrated exemplary commitment towards teamwork & service

 

Officer Patrick Henry (DNREC P&R) – Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police Award

Awarded to the Municipal Recruit that demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership while attending the academy

 

Trooper Coleena Markovich (DSP) – Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award

Awarded to the Delaware State Police Recruit that demonstrated outstanding and overall leadership while attending the academy

 

 

99th DSP and 95th Municipal Class

 

DSP

Trooper Colby Collins

Trooper Alicia Evans

Trooper Jai’Rae Hammond

Trooper Ryan Jones

Trooper Mitchell Leslie

Trooper Markie Lewis

Trooper Coleena Markovich

Trooper Rene McKinnon

Trooper Brandon Ruiz

Trooper Michael Rummel

Trooper Jose Santos

Trooper Joseph Shanahan

Trooper Diana Torres

 

MUNICIPAL

Officer Gregory Contorno – Bethany Beach PD

Officer Lori Ferguson – DNREC P&R

Officer Patrick Henry – DNREC P&R

Officer Samuel Jester – UDPD

Officer Angel Padillo – Middletown PD

Officer Joseph Wunsch – Smyrna PD

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 031523 1815

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Dover, Delaware – The Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. announces the graduation ceremonies for the 93rd Delaware State Police and 89th Municipal Recruit Class.  The ceremonies celebrated and recognized the successful completion of Law Enforcement training of 25 Delaware State Troopers and 24 Law Enforcement Officers representing the Delaware River & Bay Authority, Dover Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Newark Police Department, University of Delaware Police Department, Seaford Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, and South Bethany Police Department.

Who:

• 93rd Delaware State Police and 89th Municipal Recruit Class

When:

• Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

Location:

• Dover High School (Auditorium)
• 1 Dover High Drive Dover, Delaware

Dignitaries Addressing the Graduates:

• Governor John Carney
• Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long
• Attorney-General Kathy Jennings
• Secretary Kimberly Chandler, Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent of the Delaware State Police
• Robert Coupe, C.O.P.T Chairman

Class Speaker:

• Trooper Geannakakes, Delaware State Police

 

****The following are the award recipients for each category:****

Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award:

• Trooper Nicholas Geannakakes, Delaware State Police

The Attorney General’s Award for Legal Excellence:

• Officer Ashley Melis, Seaford Police Department

The Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Award:

• Trooper Luke Justice, Delaware State Police

The Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council Award:

• Patrolman Daniel Burgos, Seaford Police Department

The Delaware State Police Academy Law Enforcement Core Values Award:

• Officer Jamel Howard, University of Delaware Police Department

The Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award:

• Trooper Nicholas Greannakakes, Delaware State Police

• Patrolman Troy Wolford, Georgetown Police Department

The Delaware State Police Academy Physical Fitness Award:

• Trooper Cameron Drake, Delaware State Police

• Patrolman Dylan Keller, Smyrna Police Department

“On Wednesday, March 4^th, 2020 the strength of the Delaware Law Enforcement Community grew beyond measure with the addition of 25 State Troopers and 24 Municipal Officers representing eight agencies from across the State. These graduates represent the top 2.5% of the over 2,000 women and men who pursued positions in this Academy Class and their performance over the past few months reinforced that they were the best of the best!  After receiving two and a half times the minimum training hours required by the Council on Police Training these women and men stand ready to serve the citizens of Delaware with the requisite confidence, passion, and humility to make all Delawareans safe and proud of their Law Enforcement protectors,” said, Captain Jason Sapp, Director of Training for the Delaware State Police

Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 030620 1155

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Who:

• 92B Delaware State Police and 88th Municipal Recruit Class

When:

• Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Location:

• Dover High School (Auditorium)
• 1 Dover High Drive Dover, Delaware

Dignitaries Addressing the Graduates:

• Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, State of Delaware
• Lieutenant Governor Bethany A. Hall-Long, State of Delaware
• Chief Deputy Attorney General Alexander S. Mackler, State of Delaware
• Secretary Robert M. Coupe, Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent, Delaware State Police

Class Speaker:

• Trooper Phillip Aviola, Delaware State Police

Dover – Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. announces the graduation ceremonies for the 92B Delaware State Police and 88th Municipal Recruit Class.  The ceremonies celebrated and recognized the successful completion of Law Enforcement training of 3 Delaware State Troopers and 19 Law Enforcement Officers representing the Department of Natural Resources Police Division of Fish & Wildlife, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Dover Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Laurel Police Department, Milford Police Department, Milton Police Department, Seaford Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, South Bethany Police Department, and Wyoming Police Department.

**Awards**

Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award:

• Trooper Zachary Falk, Delaware State Police

The Attorney General’s Award for Legal Excellence:

• Officer Tyler Slavin, DNREC Fish & Wildlife

The Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Award:

• Patrolman Matthew Donahue, Georgetown Police Department

The Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council Award:

• Patrolman James Bush, Dover Police Department

The Delaware State Police Academy Law Enforcement Core Values Award:

• Patrolman David Spence II, Dover Police Department

The Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award:

• Trooper Mark DiMaio, Delaware State Police
• Patrolman Richard DaFonte III, Milford Police Department

The Delaware State Police Academy Physical Fitness Award:

• Trooper Zachary Falk, Delaware State Police
• Patrolman Matthew Messina, Delaware River & Bay Authority

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 081519 1818

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Dover, Delaware – The Delaware State Police and the American Legion held Trooper Youth Week Graduation Ceremony Friday afternoon, June 28, 2019, at the Delaware State Police Training Academy Headquarters Complex in Dover, Delaware.

Graduating Cadet Class 2019

• Damian Alexander                First State Military Academy
• Mason Glanden                     Early College High School
• Kyle Green                              Sussex Central High School
• Serika Hicks                           Polytech High School
• Jemescia Inge                        Christiana High School
• Madeline Kuennen               Delaware Military Academy
• Reese Lohman                       Smyrna High School
• Neva Nowell                          Woodbridge High School
• Zoe Quevedo                          Sussex Technical High School
• Vashon Roby                         Christiana High School
• Elizabeth Schlauch              Caesar Rodney High School
• Arianna Snyder                    Newark High School
• Christopher Tomczyk         A.I. DuPont High School
• Samantha White                  Caravel Academy
• Samantha Wolfgang           Caesar Rodney High School

48th Annual Trooper Youth Week Awards- 2019

Physical Fitness Award:  Damian Alexander – First State Military Academy
(Cadet that demonstrated overall physical fitness)

Esprit De Corps Award:  Reese Lohman –  Smyrna High School
(Cadet that most demonstrated a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty)

Core Values:  Zoe Quevedo- Sussex Tech High School
(Cadet that demonstrated the essence of our Seven Core Values- Honor, Integrity, Courage, Loyalty, Attitude, Discipline, Service)

Most Outstanding Cadet:  Madeline Kuennen – Delaware Military Academy
(Cadet that demonstrated overall leadership, initiative, teamwork, and commitment to the success of the class)

Delegation of Distinguished Speakers:

Robert M. Coupe –  Secretary, Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. –  Superintendent of the Delaware State Police
Commander James Stewart – Department of Delaware American Legion, Inc.

*Selected as the class speaker – Damian Alexander*

Fifteen young men and women from across the state endured a weeklong training program that paralleled what Delaware State Troopers experience while attending our challenging Training Academy.

During the entire week, the cadets took up residence here at the academy to give them a better understanding of the profession of law enforcement and what it takes to become a trooper. The goal of the Delaware State Police Trooper Youth Week Academy is to provide the cadets with the best possible law enforcement instruction while demonstrating professionalism and motivation in a challenging and disciplined environment. The mission here is to help this academy class prepare to succeed. With that, each cadet must put in maximum effort in order to guarantee their success, and I must say, the experience here was like no other for this graduating class. said Sergeant Richard Bratz, Delaware State Police spokesperson. 

In addition to daily inspections and the physical fitness regimen, the cadets attended classes that included; motor vehicle stops, crime scene investigation, drug investigation, drill and ceremony, defensive tactics and ethical decision making to name a few. Special Units included the Motorcycle Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, Maritime Unit, Aviation Unit, Collision Reconstruction Unit, and the K-9 Unit. They also toured a Communications Center and the Delaware State Police Museum.

The Academy T.A.C staff along with the delegation of distinguished speakers and the Executive Staff were on hand to congratulate the cadets and assist with graduation certificates. The 48^th year for Trooper Youth Week would not be possible without the sponsorship of the Delaware American Legion. Thank you to all who had a hand in the success of the program!

 

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released 062919  1620

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Who:

• 92nd Delaware State Police and 87th Municipal Recruit Class

When:

• Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

Location:

• Dover High School (Auditorium)
• 1 Dover High Drive Dover, Delaware

Dignitaries Addressing the Graduates:

• Governor John Carney, State of Delaware
• Lieutenant Governor Bethany A. Hall-Long, State of Delaware
• Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, State of Delaware
• Secretary Robert M. Coupe, Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent, Delaware State Police

Class Speaker:

• Trooper Kevin Kelleher, Delaware State Police

Dover – Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. announces the graduation ceremonies for the 92nd Delaware State Police and 87th Municipal Recruit Class.  The ceremonies celebrated and recognized the successful completion of Law Enforcement training of 28 Delaware State Troopers and 23 Law Enforcement Officers representing the Dover Police Department, Department of Natural Resources Police Division of Fish & Wildlife, Delaware Natural Resources Police Division of Parks and Recreation, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Dewey Beach Police Department, Camden Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Newark Police Department, Milford Police Department, Smyrna Police Department and the University of Delaware Police Department.

**Awards**

Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award:

• Trooper Trevor Pendleton, Delaware State Police

The Attorney General’s Award for Legal Excellence:

• Trooper Michael Aberman, Delaware State Police

The Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Award:

• Trooper Jodi Salyer, Delaware State Police

The Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council Award:

• Officer Timothy Hader, Delaware River and Bay Authority

The Delaware State Police Academy Law Enforcement Core Values Award:

• Patrolman Elizabeth Nunez, Georgetown Police Department

The Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award:

• Trooper Douglas Schwartz, Delaware State Police
• Officer Timothy Hader, Delaware River and Bay Authority

The Delaware State Police Academy Physical Fitness Award:

• Trooper Thomas Vincent, Delaware State Police
• Officer Connor Smith, Delaware Natural Resources Police Division of Parks and Recreation

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 021419 2131

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