Fourteen cadets from the Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy graduated on Sunday afternoon, marking their official entry into law enforcement roles across Southwest Colorado. The commencement ceremony took place at River Bend Ranch, just north of Durango.
“These young people came together 20 weeks ago with a common goal,” said academy director Doug Parker. “Today, they take the next big step into what I believe is the most honorable profession in the world, law enforcement.”
The ceremony, attended by family, friends, and law enforcement officials, was a mix of joy and emotion as the new cadets were celebrated for their hard work and dedication.
Police Scrutiny and the Role of Officers
Durango Police Chief Brice Current served as the keynote speaker, addressing the importance of integrity and adaptability in modern policing.
“I would submit the scrutiny is not from a vacuum, but from a slow drip where police failed to change,” Current said to the crowd of about 150 attendees. “After 25 years in law enforcement, I’ve realized the ignition comes from outdated training focused on a negative approach to the Constitution, centering on what we can and cannot do instead of what we should do.”
Current emphasized that the primary role of a police officer is to “safeguard the people from harm.”
Special Recognitions and Speeches
During the ceremony, a Native American blessing was conducted by Eddie and Betty Box for their niece and nephew, Selena Lucero and Phillip Le. Eddie Box is a retired police captain for the Southern Ute Police Department.
Lucero will join the Southern Ute Police Department, while Le will work for the Bayfield Police Department and was recognized as one of the cadet supervisors for this year’s class. Le spoke passionately about the responsibilities and challenges of being a police officer.
“We are the thin blue line that separates order from chaos,” Le said. “We carry that responsibility with honor and integrity. In the face of adversity, we will not alter the presence of danger and we will not retreat.”
Another cadet supervisor, Ben Knobloch, who will join the Durango Police Department, reflected on the collective journey of the cadets.
“Together we faced the challenges of the academy, supporting each other through tough times and celebrating our victories,” Knobloch said. “Each of us has contributed to this journey in a way that has enriched our collective experience.”
List of Graduates
The following cadets graduated on Sunday, each sponsored by local agencies:
Caleb Brown, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office
Colton Calavan, Pagosa Springs Police Department
Lynn Drain, South Fork Police Department
Matt Helms, Durango Police Department
Ben Knobloch, Durango Police Department
Phillip Le, Bayfield Police Department
Selena Lucero, Southern Ute Police Department
Taylor Marston, Cortez Police Department
Kaleb Rittenhouse, unspecified
Kyler Rogers, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office
Isaac Tillery, Fort Lewis College Police Department
Cayden Worcester, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office
Rodrigo Pucci, Durango Police Department
Kat Sargent, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office
Cadet Cpl. Kyler Rogers, who will serve the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, reflected on the rigorous training they endured.
“This journey was not without its trials,” Rogers said. “We confronted real-life scenarios that demanded quick thinking and decisive action.”
As these new cadets prepare to enter the field, their commitment and readiness stand as a testament to their hard work and the comprehensive training they received at the Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy.