GVSU Police Academy caps off first session back on Holland Campus with graduation

While most of Grand Valley’s campuses went remote due to heavy snowfalls on Thursday, the GVSU Police Academy proceeded with its 54th graduating class celebration as planned. It took some alterations to the agenda, but the academy made a point to hold its graduation ceremony in person at the Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

“The recruits are going to be expected to go in and work every day, regardless of whether there’s snow or anything else,” said Geoffrey Collard, director of the GVSU Police Academy, referring to the commitment to keeping the ceremony in person. “It’s really the first day of a true sacrifice in the profession.”

Thirty-nine of the 41 recruits to go through the 54th academy graduated, with injury preventing two from completing their training. All 39 of the graduates were sponsored through the academy or have received conditional offers of employment from law enforcement agencies across the state.

“Our program not only incorporates the fundamental training in policing, but we’ve also, over the years, started to evolve that curriculum into incorporating a number of different contemporary approaches that are now appropriate with the world in which you will face as a graduate and move into your roles as police officers,” said Paul Stansbie, GVSU professor and former associate dean of the College of Education and Community Innovation.

Stansbie highlighted education in unbiased policing, decision-making, mental health training, law enforcement and the LGBTQ-plus community, and mediation and restorative practices as additional hours put in beyond the minimum standards required by MCOLES.

Collard said he considered the move to Holland a success.

“The facility is amazing and will positively impact law enforcement training for the indefinite future,” he said. “The feedback from recruits and instructors has been very positive.”

Collard emphasized the added efficiency in non-education-related tasks now that the academy has a dedicated space.

“We were able to spend less time on administrative functions of training, loading equipment, moving it to a training location, setting it up, tearing it down, and returning it to storage, and were able to focus on the critical integrated skills training,” said Collard.

The Grand Valley Police Department is among the many public safety departments that sent sponsored recruits through the academy. GVPD’s recruits will be sworn in and begin serving on campus before the start of the winter semester.

GVPD-sponsored recruit Isis Lett said her experience at the academy went beyond her expectations. She said the real-life experience of the academy’s instructors provided insights into the field. Lett had high praise for the academy’s leadership and said they did a great job building confidence and creating an environment where the recruits feel comfortable to learn.

“Not only is it better for our training, but I think it's also better for the other students in Allendale,” Lett said. “We're no longer interrupting their day or their classes when we're commuting to and from the rec center, doing (Emergency Vehicle Operations) in the parking lots and doing high-stress, loud scenarios.”

Lett said the academy is one of the most memorable experiences of her life, and that she is excited to apply what she learned as an officer.

“Our instructors did a really great job at preparing us for our careers outside of here,” she said. “I am going to take everything I learned from them and apply that to how I conduct myself as a police officer.”

Wyoming Chief of Public Safety Kimberly Koster said the GVSU Police Academy is routinely at the top of her departments list when they look to send sponsored recruits through academy training.

“The outstanding training that you received here has prepared you to meet the challenges that lie ahead with confidence and competence,” Koster said.

In her address to the recruits and supporters in attendance, Koster spoke about the importance of gratitude and responsibility.

“Understand how blessed you are and how fortunate you will be to have a career that allows you to make such an impact,” she said. “Every individual deserves dignity, respect and fairness. Remember that every person, regardless of their circumstances is worthy of empathy and compassion.”

The GVSU Police Academy will host its orientation for its 55th academy session in March.