12 Cadets Graduate from Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy

A job in law enforcement is tough. So, it would stand to reason that the training and education to someday wear a badge would be rigorous. That is always the case with the Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy.

On Thursday, December 1, officials recognized Class 112’s successes, as Class members walked the stage in a ceremony held inside AC’s Hudgins Hall. As a testament to the rigors of the curriculum, academy director and AC Chief of Police Doug Conn informed the audience that the 12 graduates were the “survivors” of a class that began with 24 cadets.

“We put these men and women through some of the hardest academic and physical training imaginable,” Conn said. “That they’re here tonight shows their level of determination.”

Steve Roper, a retired chief deputy and 40-plus-year law enforcement veteran, served as the keynote speaker. Roper served as Conn’s training officer years ago, and he related a story regarding the chief. Roper told of Conn’s first official arrest, in which Conn had to “high step into a swamp” to retrieve a perpetrator.

“Not even a half-hour into his new job and Doug had already been in a pursuit and made a felony arrest,” Roper said. “But after overcoming the shock of the chase and the mess, a huge grin came over his face, and that night, Chief Conn confirmed his life calling.

Jared Archer graduated as the class valedictorian, while Royce Luckey earned the Top Gun award and Lauren Oliver earned the Best Driver award.

Here are the Graduates of Class 112

• Denise Amador (Lufkin)
• Jared Archer (Groveton),
• Grace Baggett (Nacogdoches)
• Wesley Bates (Houston)
• Cody Brooks (Cuero)
• Erik Cebrian (Lufkin)
• Jasmine Flores (Lufkin)
• Ryan Kiec (Round Rock)
• Royce Luckey (Cleveland)
• Lauren Oliver (Zavalla)
• Zachary Oxener (Jasper)
• Angel Pineda (Center)

Angelina College was issued a license to operate a police academy in 12 East Texas counties in September 1993 by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The academy offers basic and in-service training courses at sites throughout Deep East Texas with the assistance of an advisory board, which assists in directing the academy.

Academy staff members include Doug Conn, Chief of Police; Lt. Randy Holland, Training Manager; Officer Jack Stephenson, Training Manager; and Kim Capps, Administrative Assistant.

For information on the AC Police Academy, email policeacademy@angelina.edu.