The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) celebrated the graduation of Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Academy #78 on October 8 at the College’s Upper Keys Center in Key Largo. Fourteen cadets successfully completed the 770-hour training program. Upon passing the state certification exam, each will be eligible to become a Florida Law Enforcement Officer. 

Cathy Torres, Director of CFK’s Institute for Public Safety, recognized top performing graduates with special accolades. Class Captain Sarah Porter earned awards for leadership and academic achievement awards. Mercedes Guevara and Jose Salto received Physical Fitness awards. The “PIG” award, which recognizes pride, integrity, and guts, went to Bryant De La Campa, and “Top Gun” honors for superior shooting skills went to Samuel Villegas. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay swore-in graduates Guevara, Porter, and Jessica Smits as Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies. 

CFK’s law enforcement officer program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. CFK is currently accepting applications for two upcoming basic law enforcement academies. One will be held at the Key West Campus and the other at the Upper Keys Center in Key Largo. Both academies are part-time evening programs, running Monday through Friday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., starting in January and ending in October 2022. Applications are due on December 3. For more information about CFK’s Institute for Public Safety, visit the College’s website at https://www.cfk.edu/academics/academic-departments/institute-for-public-safety/.