Honoring Service: 340th Basic Training Class Graduates from KLETC

Friends and family of the 340th Basic Training Class enjoyed a wonderful day celebrating graduation at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC). For these students, this final assignment—to take the oath—marked the conclusion of their training before they return home to serve their communities as law enforcement officers.

KLETC Police Instructor Senior Nef Torres, the Class Coordinator, introduced the graduates and welcomed Salina Police Chief C.J. Wise to address the class. Chief Wise reflected on his 27-year career and offered advice for the future:

“You have a lot of authority and responsibility but remember to stay humble. You're no better than anybody else, and nobody else is better than you. That’s what my parents always taught me. Keep people in your life who will keep you humble.”

Class President Officer Trenten Thompson of the Overland Park Police Department also addressed his fellow classmates and attendees:

“Over the past 14 weeks, we've learned about integrity, honor, and many other crucial principles that extend beyond the academy walls. Each lesson has reinforced that being a law enforcement officer is about much more than issuing citations or operating emergency vehicles. It's fundamentally about being a protector, a leader, and a positive influence within the communities we serve.”

Under the authority of Vice Provost and Director of Police Training Darin Beck, graduates received certificates attesting the satisfactory completion of a full-time basic course of instruction, and certification as Kansas law enforcement officers from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s Law enforcement licensing authority.

The following are the graduates of the 340th basic training class

*Awards and honors in italic

Taylor Allen, Leavenworth Police Department 

James Avery, Hutchinson Police Department

Richard Craft, Newton Police Department        

Andrew Demboske, Overland Park Police Department

Tannah Forbes, Kickapoo Tribal Police Department       

Jude Golden, Salina Police Department             

Coleman Johnson, Osage City Police Department        

Deven Lopez, Hutchinson Police Department

Hector Luna-Contreras, Ellis County Sheriff's Office   

Aidan Michel, Franklin County Sheriff's Office 

Brian Montague, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office         

Caleb Myers, Independence Police Department            

Cristobal Pablo, Dodge City Police Department             

Rebecca Phillips, Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office               

Celeste Pierson, Marshall County Sheriff's Office

Carson Rich, Hutchinson Police Department

Adam Rumsey, Saline County Sheriff's Office  

Trenten Thompson, Overland Park Police Department, Class President

Tre'sean Torrence, Emporia Police Department

AAJay Trevino, Overland Park Police Department           

William  VanDyke, Ellis County Sheriff's Office 

Toby Woodworth, Hutchinson Police Department