Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center graduates 269th Basic Training Class

YODER — Twenty-two new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on Oct. 9 at a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.

James Murphy of the Ellis Police Department was the graduating class president. Michael Turenne, KLETC senior instructor of police and class coordinator for the 269th Basic Training Class, was the speaker for the ceremony.

Gage Wilson of the Clay Center Police Department walked, ran or biked more than 200 miles during his time at KLETC and was honored as a member of the 200 Mile Club. Joshua Price of the Herington Police Department was recognized as the class “Top Shot.”

Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.

Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of KU Lifelong & Professional Education.

The graduates, who began their training in July 2020, represented 19 municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas. Graduates who granted permission to release their names are listed below by county and agency:

Allen

• Seth Pollet, Allen County Sheriff’s Office
• Joseph Stotler, Allen County Sheriff’s Office
• Elijah Farran, Iola Police Department

Chautauqua

• Esiquio Avalos, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office

Clay

• Gage Wilson, Clay Center Police Department

Crawford

• Jesse Snider, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office

Dickinson

• Joshua Price, Herington Police Department

Doniphan

• Rachel Hirtler, Elwood Police Department

Ellis

• Ty McCulloch, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
• James Murphy, Ellis Police Department

Franklin

• Anthony Dougan, Ottawa Police Department
• Roy Larson, Ottawa Police Department

Geary

• Belinda Gatlin, Grandview Plaza Police Department

Jackson

• Tanner Lemery, Prairie Band Pottawatomi Tribal Police

Linn

• Barbara Cochran, Pleasanton Police Department

Miami

• Mason Lamb, Louisburg Police Department
• Justin Lewis, Miami County Sheriff’s Office

Nemaha

• Baxter Defore, Seneca Police Department

Sedgwick

• Lindsy Eash, Mulvane Police Department

Sumner

• Brett Sarchet, Belle Plaine Police Department

Thomas

• Alicia Gines, Colby Police Department

Wilson

• Matthew Walker, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office

Learn more about the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

Top photo: The 269th Basic Training Class, observing social distancing, recite the Code of Ethics affirmation in front of KLETC faculty and staff.

Right photo: KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck stands with Class President James Murphy of the Ellis Police Department.