Greensboro Police Department graduates 119th academy class; 22 recruits sworn in

Captain Brown, the commanding officer of the Greensboro Police Department training division, opened the graduation ceremony for the department's 119th Police Academy class, asked attendees to present arms for the color guard and introduced Miss Shelley Garris, who sang the national anthem.

Steve Goode delivered the invocation, asking for protection and wisdom for the new officers and their families as they begin service in Greensboro. Interim Chief of Police Chris Schultheis then congratulated the graduates and urged them to build trust with the community, lead with integrity and support one another as they begin their careers. "This profession will test you. It will demand patience, resilience and sound judgment," Schultheis said.

Training staff members were introduced before a series of academy awards. The training team announced that the top academic average for the 119th academy was 96 percent and awarded the honor to Recruit Ward. The Physical Fitness Award went to Recruit Walker. Multiple recruits achieved 98 percent or higher on firearms qualifications; the firearms award and the CCT (Compliance Control Techniques) award were both presented to Recruit Trent. The Michael G. Winslow Memorial Award for overall excellence and professionalism was presented to Recruit R.E. George (listed elsewhere in the program as Rowland George III).

Cory Leonard delivered the class address, thanking instructors and family for support during the 29-week program. Leonard praised classmates for their teamwork and closed with, "Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage to continue that counts."

Recruits were called forward in alphabetical order to receive their diplomas and have their badges pinned by selected loved ones. City Clerk Tori Frink administered the oath of office; recruits repeated a sworn pledge to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of North Carolina and to "faithfully and impartially" execute the duties of a law enforcement officer for the City of Greensboro. Lawndale Baptist Church provided the Bibles used during the oath.

Sergeant Chris Wingfield dismissed the 119th Police Academy class after a brief closing; attendees were asked to wait in the lobby while the new officers completed paperwork. The department noted the class completed roughly 1,000 hours of instruction and graduated 22 recruits.