La Vista – Fourteen recruits for area law enforcement agencies walked across the stage Feb. 21 during the third graduation ceremony for the Sarpy-Douglas Law Enforcement Academy.

Friends, family and spectators filled nearly every chair and spilled into the hallway at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

Sarpy-Douglas Law Enforcement Academy began in 2018 and is run by Director of Training Scott Wagner.

The Bellevue, La Vista and Papillion police departments, as well as Douglas and Sarpy County sheriff’s offices, sent recruits through the program.

The Omaha Police Department has its own training academy.

Graduates of the academy spent the past 22 weeks completing an intensive, comprehensive  training program. Over 800 hours of physical, academic and tactical training were logged. The graduates will now go into field training at their respective offices.

“You will always, no matter what, be representing yourself, your families, your friends and your fellow law enforcement officers,” Wagner told the graduates. “Let your conscience be your guide. We are human and will make mistakes. But what you do from those mistakes is what makes the difference.”

Recruits from all five participating agencies were represented – the first time that has happened in the academy’s history.

Bellevue Police Department graduates are Officers Ryan Ludlow, Tyler Andahl and Mike Treinen.

Papillion Police Department graduates are Officers Logan Jacik and Tanner Prazan.

La Vista Police Department graduates are Officers Curtis Frei and Samantha Neville.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office graduates are Deputies Joshua Kieser, Shane Miller, Taylor Hunt, Nicole O’Haver, Daltin Pickett and Tristan Taylor.

Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office graduate is Deputy Cody Roark.