The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) held a graduation ceremony for two academies completed through its Institute for Public Safety (IPS) on October 22 at the Key West Campus. A total of 21 cadets—14 in a basic law enforcement academy and seven in a correctional officer academy—successfully completed their respective training program. Upon passing the state certification exam, each will be eligible to become Florida Law Enforcement Officers or Correctional Officers. 

Through partnerships with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Key West Police Department, all graduates have already secured employment. During the ceremony, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay swore in 12 cadets and Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg swore in nine cadets, inducting them into their new professions. 

Cathy Torres, CFK Director of IPS, and Michael Crespo, CFK Coordinator of IPS, recognized top performing graduates with special accolades. Leadership awards were given to class captains Samuel Adorno and Brandon Dully. Lee Mortenson and Heath Bochette were recognized for academic achievement. “Top Gun” honors went to Zachary Kalisek and Dominic Figueroa for superior shooting skills. Esteban Andrade, Eryka Del Cueto, and William Rodriguez received Physical Fitness awards and the “PIG” awards, which recognize pride, integrity, and guts, went to John Ham and Santos Delgado. 

CFK’s law enforcement officer and correctional officer programs satisfy 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/.