Sheriff Announces Police Academy Graduates

Poughkeepsie, NY – Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk A. Imperati announced today the graduation of the 25th session of the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Academy Basic Course for Police Officers. The ceremony was held in the James and Betty Hall Theatre at Dutchess Community College.

"Today is the culmination of twenty-six weeks of commitment and perseverance by individuals who have chosen the path of police service within their communities. These graduates have completed an intensive training program that has provided them with a strong foundation to be guardians of their community and to protect and preserve the rights of others," said Sheriff Imperati. "I congratulate the graduates and their families, and I wish them all a safe and successful law enforcement career."

Twenty officers from seven different police agencies successfully completed the training program. The curriculum included instruction in such topics as penal law and traffic law, police procedures and investigative techniques, domestic violence, mental health and crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, CPR/AED/first aid, procedural justice and implicit bias training, physical fitness, defensive tactics, firearms, and emergency vehicle operations.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Training Bureau is responsible for directing and administering the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Academy. The academy is recognized by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Office of Public Safety as an approved police academy to conduct the Municipal Police Training Council Basic Course for Police Officers. This training is required for all newly appointed deputy sheriffs and police officers in New York state.

Although the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency for the academy, the City of Poughkeepsie, City of Beacon, Town of Poughkeepsie, and Town of East Fishkill police departments, as well as other law enforcement agencies, provide support and instruction throughout the academy that is essential to this successful collaboration. There is also a strong partnership with the legal community, mental health clinicians, substance abuse counselors, domestic violence prevention advocates and representatives from the special needs community who provide valuable guidance and instruction during the police academy.

Sheriff Imperati said, "We engage key stakeholders to ensure that the police recruits are educated in the challenges they will encounter and well versed in the services available to help people in need, especially those experiencing a mental health crisis or substance addiction." "The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office has worked diligently to increase diversity within our agency to be more representative of the communities we serve. I’m proud to say that this class represents the most diverse group of graduates in the history of the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Academy," said Sheriff Imperati. "I will continue our efforts to diversify by working closely with our community leaders and elected officials, including County Executive Marcus Molinaro and the County Legislature, as we strive to get better every day." 

Graduates of the 25th Session of the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Academy

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office:
Deputy Sheriff John Andersen
Deputy Sheriff Travis Beyea
Deputy Sheriff Devin Carpenter
Deputy Sheriff Ishmael Chisholm 
Deputy Sheriff Carisma Collins 
Deputy Sheriff Kristy Garcia
Deputy Sheriff Christian McGaw

City of Poughkeepsie Police Department:
Police Officer Gary Beahan
Police Officer Sequan Heard
Police Officer Christopher Warrick 

Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department:
Police Officer Klaus Kutz
Police Officer Tanner Scheible

City of Beacon Police Department:
Police Officer Stephen Donovan

Town of East Fishkill Police Department:
Police Officer Bret Filancia
Police Officer Steven Snyder

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office:
Deputy Sheriff Dana Scott
Deputy Sheriff Daniel Stang
Deputy Sheriff Tyler Suchoski
Deputy Sheriff Micah Weaver 

Town of Lloyd Police Department:
Police Officer Cole Nicolis

Award recipients of the 25th Session of the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Academy

The Sheriff Adrian H. Anderson Award:
Deputy Sheriff Carisma Collins 

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office “Top Cop” Achievement Award:
Police Officer Tanner Scheible 

Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department Academic Achievement Award:
Deputy Sheriff Micah Weaver 

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Physical Fitness Achievement Award:
Deputy Sheriff Christian McGaw

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Firearms Proficiency Achievement Award:
Deputy Sheriff Micah Weaver 

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Esprit De Corps Award:
Deputy Sheriff Ishmael Chisholm
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Police Officer Klaus Kutz
Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department

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