On Wednesday last week, members of the 2023 Citizen Police Academy took part in a graduation ceremony in council chambers at the Jamestown Municipal Building. Participants also included officer Matt Rhinehart, Police Chief Timothy Jackson, Capt. Scott Forster, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon and Mayor Eddie Sundquist.

This year’s class included Shameka Batchelor, Sutton Dalrymple, Christina Kebort, Susan Mead, Allison Murphy, Aaron Perez, John Rensel, Sydney Robinson, Ronald Ruch, Taylor Samuelson, Brenda Strasser, Lisa Strudwick, Matthew Swanson and Brant Willink.

The academy kicked off Jan. 25 and comprised of three-hour sessions held each week through early May. Participants learned a range of police-related topics — vehicle and traffic law, use of force, media relations, court procedures and K-9 demonstrations. Jamestown police in various department handled the bulk of instruction, though other agencies such as the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted over the 15 weeks.

Rand Machine Products and Kurt Grimm, Rand president and CEO, helped the department hold the academy. Rand previously raised funds through an in-house charitable foundation for JPD to purchase a new K-9.

This year’s class included Shameka Batchelor, Sutton Dalrymple, Christina Kebort, Susan Mead, Allison Murphy, Aaron Perez, John Rensel, Sydney Robinson, Ronald Ruch, Taylor Samuelson, Brenda Strasser, Lisa Strudwick, Matthew Swanson and Brant Willink. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Rhinehart recognized class members who attended most of the sessions. “Thank you for your participation,” he said.

Jackson, in speaking to the class and their families who attended last week’s graduation ceremony, noted that the department had not held a Citizen Police Academy in at least 23 years.

“They were awesome,” Jackson said of the community members who completed the course. “Seriously, can’t thank them enough. We got a lot of good feedback from them — both good, a lot of good, thankfully. And we’re going to incorporate a lot of their suggestions into the next class.”

Coon congratulated the graduating class for their hard work. He said the course allows the public to get a broad overview on the roles and responsibilities of first responders, including police, firefighters and emergency medical services.

“We couldn’t do our job as firefighters without having the police department there to back us up,” Coon said.

Sundquist heaped praise on Rhinehart and other staff for making the academy possible and the class for making it through the course. With a police force operating 24/7, he said the job often is tough and “never-ending.”

“I will tell you my phone rings at all hours of the night,” he said, “and so I’ve seen that. I’ve been on those ride-alongs. I’ve been at scenes, and it’s tough. It’s tough. But that’s what happens within the city; it’s because we care and we want to make sure that people are OK to why we do what we do, and it’s why our public safety folks do what they do.

“And so we are hoping that with you seeing this first-hand that you can continue to spread that to others and understand why we do what we do.”

Ruch, a member of the class, said the Citizen Police Academy gave him a chance to better understand the police department and what officers do on a day-to-day basis. He alluded to bail reform — which state lawmakers approved in 2019 that was aimed at keeping defendants who can’t afford bail from being disproportionately jailed — and the impact it’s had on departments.

“Somebody that used to go right in to jail and now you just give them a ticket and they’re out before you can get done with the paperwork,” Ruch said.

He noted the benefits of allowing the public to see the inner workings of a police department, and used his grandson as an example.

“He was always afraid and goes to school at Lincoln and there was always a police car in the parking lot in the morning,” he began. “I said, ‘Do you want to go over and say hi to the policeman?’ He said, ‘No, I’m afraid of him.’ I told him don’t be afraid of him. Police officers are your friend if you ever get lost or if you’re having trouble.”

Strasser spoke during last week’s graduation ceremony, thanking JPD, the fire department and Rand. She said she enjoyed learning about the SWAT team, how a forensic investigation works and the role of the district attorney in Chautauqua County.

“I am so happy to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the finest men and women who serve our city and community to protect life and give their lives,” Strasser said. “In doing so, it has truly been an honor and an unforgettable experience.”