Log in

FIRST RESPONDERS

Glendale Community College, West Valley police start new academy

Posted 9/22/22

Police agencies from nine West Valley cities have worked with Glendale Community College to launch a full-time law enforcement training academy serving the needs of their respective communities. 

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
FIRST RESPONDERS

Glendale Community College, West Valley police start new academy

Posted

Police agencies from nine West Valley cities have worked with Glendale Community College to launch a full-time law enforcement training academy serving the needs of their respective communities. 

The nine cities, Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise, Tolleson and Wickenburg will begin sending their new police recruits to the Glendale Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy (GCC LETA).

The first academy class will begin training Monday, Sept. 26. An opening ceremony takes place at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 27. 

The collaborative nature of this academy will strengthen the relationship between West Valley agencies and enhance consistent protocols to incidents requiring a multi-agency response, a GCC news release explains. Dr. Genea Stephens, Glendale Community College law enforcement training director, noted that “the need for an additional full-time Police Academy in the West Valley has emerged as a critical need as the West Valley grows and other options for training police officers have become more limited.”   

The first academy class will consist of approximately 30 recruits, with the goal training 100 recruits annually. Graduates will receive a certificate in Law Enforcement from Glendale Community College, which equals 40 academic credit hours. This is in addition to becoming certified as Peace Officers by the Arizona Peace Officers Training and Standards Board.

The training will take place at the multi-jurisdictional Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center, 11550 W. Glendale Ave. Instructors and equipment such as cars, ammunition, etc., will be provided by each of the participating cities’ police agencies. 

Police chiefs and officials from the nine West Valley cities, along with GCC representatives, will be in attendance at the opening ceremony for the GCC LETA. The event will include an honor guard and welcoming comments from chiefs and GCC leadership.