FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FDLTCC ANNOUNCES LAW ENFORCEMENT SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATES

CLOQUET, MN— Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College announced the graduation of 27 students who successfully completed program requirements in the Law Enforcement Skills Training Program during Summer Session 2020. A ceremony was held at the college on Friday, August 21, following COVID-19 protocols and with no guests in attendance but instead watching live via online technology. This is the 20th group of students to participate in the Law Enforcement Skills Training Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Students completed the intensive hands-on training on August 21, 2020. The 600 hours of skill training is required of all individuals seeking careers as peace officers in Minnesota. Students complete classroom training in addition to participating in the skills training program. After classroom and skills training, students are required to pass the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board exam to become eligible for employment as a peace officer in Minnesota.

Skills training topics include: accident investigation, auto theft, radio communications, mobile field force, crimes in progress response, domestic violence investigation and intervention, drug interdiction, DUI detection and standardized field sobriety testing, emergency vehicle operations, radar enforcement, traffic stops, crime scene investigation, gang education, drug and controlled substance investigations, report writing, aerosol chemical weapons and chemical agents, diversity, community policing, professional ethics, and firearms training.

The Law Enforcement Skills Instructor of the Year Award as selected by the students was given to Donald Boso, retired Duluth Police Department officer who teaches command presence, search warrants, and property crimes. Boso is retiring as an instructor from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College this year.

The Les Northrup Award recognizing student leadership and outstanding extra effort was given to graduating student Dustin Huhta of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.

The Law Enforcement Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College has an enrollment of approximately 200 students each year, making it one of the most popular programs offered at the college, and one of the largest Law Enforcement training programs in Minnesota.

The following students successfully completed the Law Enforcement Skills Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and are members of the Class of 2020:

Alyssa Amotozio, Superior, WI

Josephine Antonich, Mosinee, WI

Campbell Bergstedt, Esko, MN

Alexander Bodin, Carlton, MN

Joseph Cullen, Roseville, MN

Nick Detlefsen, Two Harbors, MN

Christopher Gower, Duluth, MN

John Gruna, Superior, WI

Bryce Heim, St. Charles, MN

Taylor Holty, Fairfield, CA

Dustin Huhta, Hoyt Lakes, MN

Emily Johnson, Hermantown, MN

Ryan Norland, Duluth, MN

Sean Norland, Duluth, MN

Cody Packingham, Duluth, MN

Kyle Pederson, Duluth, MN

Erik Petoletti, Proctor, MN

Tyler Rikkola, South Range, WI

Maddyson Robertson, Hermantown, MN

Anthony St. Clair, Waubun, MN

Jim Stracek, Carlton, MN

Jon Stracek, Carlton, MN

Colin Stein, Duluth, MN

Chris Streed, Byron, MN

Brandon Thomsen, Mora, MN

Nellie Torgerson, Duluth, MN

Brenden Walkowiak, Duluth, MN