Quest for the Best® Scholarships Awarded to Two Police Cadet Graduates from the College’s Municipal Police Academy
(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA • December 13, 2019)—Delaware County Community College students Kerri Ann Christie and Michael Palmer each received a $2,650 Quest for the Best® scholarship at the College’s Municipal Police Academy graduation ceremony last night at Interboro High School.
Of the 59 police cadets who graduated, Christie and Palmer were chosen to receive the scholarships by William Davis, director of the Municipal Police Academy, because of their positive attitudes, excellent grades, can-do spirit and hard work. Tuition for the Municipal Police Academy, which is held at the College’s Marple Campus, is $5,800, which includes books.
Quest for the Best® is a tax-exempt, private foundation that provides funding and services to groups committed to “strengthening the common good of mankind.” Last night, Quest for the Best® President Taras Wochok, joined Davis and College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black to present the scholarships to the cadets.
Graduates of the Police Academy receive Pennsylvania Act 120 certification for successful completion of a 920-hour curriculum that includes instruction in firearms, physical fitness, self-defense and Homeland Security, as well as scenario training and practical exercises. The College was one of the first schools in the Commonwealth to conduct police academy training for the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission in accordance with Pennsylvania Legislative Act 120. A leader in providing local and regional departments with qualified and prepared candidates, the College has expert faculty, including police chiefs, police supervisors, assistant district attorneys and other law enforcement professionals.
Last night, graduation keynote speaker Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Frank Hazel addressed the 59 graduates, consisting of 44 day and 15 evening students. Day classes are held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., six days a week. Evening classes are from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., five nights a week, as well as on five Sundays and seven Saturdays for Firearms and Driving training.
Delaware County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy has served the community since 1977, and also conducts mandatory Act 180 in-service training for current municipal police officers. The Police Academy has trained more than 95 percent of the police officers in Delaware County and more than 75 percent of the police officers in Chester County.
Photo Caption: Quest for the Best® President Taras Wochok, Delaware County Community College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, Municipal Police Academy graduates Michael Palmer and Kerri Ann Christie, and William Davis, director of Delaware County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy.
