Journey through the Montana Law Enforce Academy part-1

At the end of March, five Helena area law enforcement officers will graduate from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. In the first part of a special series, Beartooth NBC introduces the newest officers and deputies that will protect and serve the community.

“I was a military policeman for 6 years in the Army,” says L&C Sheriff's Office, Bradley Bragg.

“I previously worked at the detention center here in Lewis and Clark County for 2 1/2 years,” says L&C Sheriff's Office, Andrew Blythe.

“I finished my degree at the University of Montana in forensic anthropology and I had an internship at the Helena Police Department,” says Helena Police Department, Krissy Wruck.

“I started in Minnesota, I was a reserve officer out there for 3 years,” says Helena Police Department, Matt Lewis.

“The last year I'd worked for the division of criminal investigations as an analyst,” says Helena Police Department, John Kaleczyc.

The Helena area's five newest law enforcement officers all have different backgrounds but they have one common goal in mind.

“Becoming a bigger part of the community, being able to professionally give the services of the Sheriff's Department and let the people of Lewis and Clark County know that they're safe and they have good people backing them up,” says Blythe.

The 12-week program teaches them the basic skills needed to be a law enforcement officer and prepares them for the work that's ahead of them.

“It's been a lot of fun. I didn't really know what to expect. I was kind of scared I thought it was going to be very, very hard and it's not that it's easy, but it's really enjoyable work,” says Wruck. 

“It's a great department, a great community I've been thrilled with the area, thrilled with the people that I got to meet so far,” says Lewis.

The academy incorporates classroom learning along with hands on experience.

“Learning the different laws for Montana and obviously the scenarios we're doing now is good experience for what we're doing and getting me kind of ready for going out there and dealing with it on a regular basis,” says Bragg.

After they graduate from the academy, the officers take part in four phases of field training. Helena Police Chief, Troy McGee, says they must pass the 16 weeks of probation under a field training officer to officially become part of the department. Wednesday, we'll go inside some of the hands on learning as officers learn how to deal with domestic violence calls and talk to a training officer about the academy.

Story by Kristin Price, Beartooth NBC.
Copyright ©2012 Beartooth Communications Company. All Rights Reserved.