Coryell County gains two new deputies with CTC Police Academy graduation

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

The Central Texas College Police Academy held a graduation ceremony Friday morning at the Anderson Campus Center for the 20 cadets who completed theaBasic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) Bravo 2022 program.
Joseph Mees and Miller Shaffer, among the 20 who graduated from the academy Friday, both started with the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office as jailers. Coryell County Sheriff Scott Williams said he was extremely proud of the two gentlemen for the work they’ve put in. 
Mees, as the class president, gave a speech and shared how this path is not meant for everyone. 
“What is a peace officer made of? It is the most needed and the most unwanted. They’re strangely nameless creatures who is Sir or Ma’am to their face and Fuzz to their back,” Mees said. “They must be such a diplomat that they can settle differences between individuals so that each will think that they have won, but if a police officer is neat, they are conceited. If the officer is careless, they are a bum. If they are pleasant, they are flirting. If not, then they’re a grouch. Being an officer is more than just keeping the peace and upholding the law. It is being somebody’s hero, someone’s saving grace, a sigh of relief when those lights and sirens are coming through your window.
“This way of life is not for everyone. It is not just a job you apply for one day because you’re bored, or even a career you randomly pick one day. This is something that chooses you. It is a piece of you that has been missing. That piece that has been filled, not just in me but every one of my fellow officers here today.”
During the ceremony, several Cadets recieved  awards of achievement  including John Reza, who is joining the Lampasas Police Department, earned the highest scholastic average of 95.78. The class average was 92.16. The class selected Carl Trussell of the Killeen Police Department as the winner of the Best Instructor award.  The Charles “Chuck” Dinwiddie Top Gun award for firearms proficiency went to Joseph Mees of the Coryell County Sheriff’s Department. Mees also won the Top Gear award for best driving competency and was elected class president by his fellow cadets. 
The 22-week long course covers 720 hours of instruction and prepares students for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licensing exam by going over more than 40 topics ranging from one to 74 hours in length. Upon successful completion of the TCOLE licensing exam, the cadets will be eligible to become peace officers in the state of Texas. 
State Rep. Brad Buckley, of State House District 54, was the keynote speaker. Buckley mentioned the message on the side of a police car in the 1960s and 1970s show “Adam-12”, which reads “To serve and protect” and suggested that the message should also say to inspire. 
“You have the opportunity to go out into your communities whether they be an urban area or a rural area and inspire the next generation to follow in your footsteps,” Buckley said. “When you look around the state of Texas, we need more of you. We need others to choose that pathway to protect and to serve, and our communities need you more than ever. I can tell you this from the bottom of my heart- there may be noise that chatters about, that disparages law enforcement, but from my family to yours, and from my constituents to you and other Texans, I want to say thank you. The mission you’re about to embark on has never been more important, and I am certain that you will serve with honor and distinction.”
Buckley added that law enforcement officers are more than inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. 
“They’re inspiring communities to let them know that our law enforcement officers are absolutely critical because our communities and counties want to grow,” Buckley said. “Folks, I don’t know much, but I know this: if we don’t have public safety, it doesn’t matter how good our schools are. If we don’t have public safety, it doesn’t matter how aggressive we are on economic development. It’s the first thing we have to do. Our families deserve and expect to be safe.”