New Kansas Law Enforcement Officers Graduate from KLETC

HUTCHINSON — Cheers and applause filled Integrity Auditorium as the 358th Basic Training Class graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on June 12.

The graduates took the oath, received their diplomas and celebrated the completion of months of rigorous training. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow officers, they marked the beginning of their careers serving communities across Kansas.

Police Instructor Senior Nef Torres introduced the class, and Brandon Johnson, chairperson of the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training (CPOST), delivered remarks to graduates and guests. Johnson reminded the new officers that their responsibilities extend beyond enforcing laws and maintaining order.

"You'll also be asked to bring calm into chaos, order into confusion and dignity into situations where dignity may already feel lost," Johnson said. "That's why your role is so important. Law enforcement is not only about enforcing the law, but it's also about protecting the conditions that allow a free society to function: safety, trust, fairness, peace and the belief that every person matters under the law."

Officer Cody Presley of the WaKeeney Police Department, who served as class president, reflected on the challenges and determination that brought the graduates to this moment. He encouraged his classmates to remain focused on the sense of purpose that led them to pursue a career in law enforcement.

"No matter how much we've been told that we might not be successful in this career— or on the flip side, how good we could be in this career — at the end of the day, it was all background noise compared to the overwhelming feeling of purpose that stands behind the badge," Presley said.

The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, a division of the University of Kansas since 1968, serves as the state’s central training agency for law enforcement officers.

Under the authority of Darin Beck, vice provost and director of police training, graduates received certificates attesting to the satisfactory completion of a full-time basic course of instruction and certification as Kansas law enforcement officers from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s Law enforcement licensing authority.

Graduates of the 358th basic training class are listed below, awards noted in parentheses:

Butler County

• Jared Freed, El Dorado Police Department

Cherokee County

• Zachary Frost, Baxter Springs Police Department
• Alex Lovell, Baxter Springs Police Department

Crawford County

• Colby Piccini, Pittsburg Police Department

Franklin County 

• Gavin Lee, Ottawa Police Department
• Gavin McLean, Ottawa Police Department

Gray County

• Juan Monreal Alvarado, Gray County Sheriff's Office

Johnson County

• Daytona Lutz, Merriam Police Department (Honors)
• Francis Pierre, Merriam Police Department

Montgomery County

• Jordin Linn, Coffeyville Police Department

Norton County

• Favian Loya, Norton Police Department

Ottawa County

• Kevin Falcon, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
• Brayden Perez, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office

Pawnee County

• Cory Duft, Larned Police Department

Riley County

• Joseph Peltz, Kansas State University Police Department (Fitness)

Saline County

• Nicholas Eravelly, Salina Police Department

Sedgwick County

• Jessica Hyle, Haysville Police Department

Seward County

• Timothy Matsen, Liberal Police Department

Trego County

• Cody Presley, WaKeeney Police Department (Class President)

Wyandotte County

• Eliason Black, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office