Lake Michigan College recognized 14 graduates of its Spring 2026 Police Academy during a ceremony on Wednesday, July 8, in the LMC Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor campus.
LMC reintroduced its Police Academy in 2024 after a 42-year program hiatus to address a growing local need for the next generation of law enforcement professionals. With the completion of the third program session, 41 cadets have graduated and gone on to serve with 14 area city, township, and county departments in southwest Michigan.
“Police departments locally and nationwide are losing experienced officers to retirement. This program is how we keep pace locally with the resulting staffing need. Working closely with area municipalities and a team of experienced instructors, Lake Michigan College is training officers who are ready to serve their communities. We're proud of what these graduates have accomplished,” said Brad Byerle, Director of the LMC Police Academy.
To graduate from the program, cadets must meet required standards in each phase of instruction.
They completed the rigorous 16-week, 615-hour program by mastering a wide range of skill- and knowledge-based topics, including emergency vehicle operation, firearms, patrol operations, active shooter response, field sobriety testing, and crime scene investigation. Candidates also focused on physical fitness, first aid, and the legal system.
The following are those receiving Certificates of Completion during the graduation ceremony. 100% of the class passed the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) licensing exam earlier in the week. Also listed are awards received by the individuals.
- Braiden Brooks, Benton Township Police Department
- Austin Carlson, St. Joseph Department of Public Safety (Leadership Award)
- Elliot Danneffel, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (Red Hawk Award)
- Carter Hull, Covert Township Police Department
- Hannah Judson, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (MCOLES Outstanding Performance Award)
- Cody Krueger, Cass County Sheriff’s Office (Fitness & Wellness Award)
- Marlin Orr, Cass County Sheriff’s Office
- Anthony Parris, Cass County Sheriff’s Office
- Ben Pinkowski, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety
- Justin Pullins, Coloma Township Police Department
- Jesse Queen, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (Subject Control Award)
- Destiny Russell, Lincoln Township Police Department (Academic Achievement Award, Emergency Vehicle Operation Award)
- Tyler Skopec, Grand Beach/Michiana Police Department (Most Improved Award)
- Alexander Wootton, Buchanan Police Department (Top Gun Award)
Among this session's honorees, Hannah Judson became the first woman to receive the MCOLES Outstanding Performance Award in the history of LMC's Police Academy. The award recognizes the top overall recruit based on academic performance, scenario-based skills, demeanor, and instructor evaluation.
Each recruit entered the program sponsored by a local law enforcement agency. Municipalities received grant funding through the State of Michigan MCOLES Public Safety Academy Assistance program to cover a portion of tuition costs and the recruits’ hourly salaries during training.
The Lake Michigan College Police Academy will be offered again this fall on the College’s Benton Harbor campus. Those interested in learning more or participating in future sessions should contact Brad Byerle, Director of the LMC Police Academy, at bbyerle@lakemichigancollege.
