Lower Moreland Man Among 27 Montco Police Cadets To Graduate

BLUE BELL, PA — A new class of Montgomery County Community College police cadets are ready to protect and serve.

The Municipal Police Academy graduated 27 new students from their program in June, including several local residents. Several students have already been hired by multiple local municipal police departments, including Bensalem, Lower Merion, Perkasie, and Upper Southampton, the college said.

Montgomery County Commissioners Ken Lawrence and Joe Gale were in attendance at the graduation event, as well as FBI Special Agent Scott Duffey, who teaches at the school and was chosen by students to give the keynote address.

"Twenty-seven years ago I sat in your seat,” Duffey said. "You are trusted guardians of the public’s safety. Remember where you came from and be a light in the darkness."

Austin Rose of Bryn Athyn earned valedictorian honors, while Nicholas Tschepikiewski of Horsham won the Platoon Leadership and the Marksmanship Awards with a perfect score of 100.

The school added that both Rose and Phoenixville's Conor Staples were honored with $2,500 scholarships from Quest for the Best foundation, which honors cadets who show "leadership and excellence."

Finally, family members of former East Norriton Police Chief John J. McGowan - who died in a motorcycle accident in 2010 - donated a $3,500 scholarship check to cadet Evan Meoli, of Lansdale.

Class of 1801 graduates include the following students: Steven Ambs, Pottsgrove; Randy Czerviski, Horsham; Cody Davis, Philadelphia; John Dob, Conshohocken; Christian Dobush, Whitpain; Brendan Drakeley, Chalfont; Ethan Gerstman, Conshohocken; Zachary Heckenswiler, Hilltown; Robert Kostoroski, Warrington; Montana Lighthart, Villanova; Evan Meoli, Lansdale; Robert Nolan, Blue Bell; Robert Osinski, Warrington; Michael Owen, Warminster; Christopher Reading, Hatboro; Austin Rose, Bryn Athyn; Andrew Scavicchio, Downington; Travis Schoonover, Coopersburg; Jacob Schwarm, Lower Moreland; Ben Schweitzer, Perkasie; Conor Staples, Phoenixville; Joseph Sullivan, Skippack; Nicholas Tschepikiewski, Horsham; Garrett Vail, Churchville; Derek Vanderslice, Horsham; Bryan Walter, Hatfield; and Gage Wellington, Upper Gwynedd.

Montgomery County Community College's 800 hour curriculum for cadets takes place at the Municipal Police Academy at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Conshohocken.

Image via Montgomery County Community College