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SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute Recognizes Summer Graduates

Cohort of Police & Peace Officers Graduate from SUNY Potsdam's Law Enforcement Training Institute

Potsdam, NY (07/30/2025) — The SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute proudly celebrated the graduation of its basic police and peace officer training programs with a ceremony held on July 18 at Knowles Hall.

The ceremony marked the culmination of months of rigorous training that began on March 3. More than 300 family members, friends and law enforcement professionals gathered to honor the graduates on their final day of training.

The graduating class included 21 hired area police officers, one school resource officer, and one probation officer. These newly certified officers will now begin an intensive field training program with their respective agencies.

Graduates include:

St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office:

  • Thomas Baker
  • John Melville
  • Bruce Reynolds
  • Deven Zulauf
  • Garrett Zulauf

Ogdensburg City Police Department:

  • Jordan Fifield
  • Payton Frisina
  • Kyle Gaumes
  • Taylor Kenyon
  • Dominic Monacelli
  • Jaelynn Richards

Potsdam Police Department:

  • Matthew Gollinger
  • Zachery Rottier

Malone Village Police Department:

  • Karli St. Ann
  • Lawrence Hopkinson (School Resource Officer)

Norwood Police Department:

  • Ethan Ryan
  • Jarrett St. Hilaire

SUNY Potsdam University Police:

  • Charles Van Etten

Massena Village Police Department:

  • Zachary Labarge

Franklin County Sheriff's Department:

  • Alexzander Boyea

Franklin County Probation Department:

  • Zachary Frank

The SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute remains committed to developing the next generation of public safety professionals through high-quality, comprehensive training programs designed to prepare recruits for careers in law enforcement and community service.

The next cohort starts Aug. 25, and will include hired police and peace officers and pre-employment SUNY Potsdam students. This training will extend until Dec. 12. The next Academy will then commence on Jan. 20, at which time the institute will mark a permanent January through May training period going forward.

As a New York State-accredited police academy, SUNY Potsdam's Law Enforcement Training Institute offers in-service training for agencies throughout St. Lawrence County using top-of-the-line simulators, simulation tools, and facilities designed to improve decision-making skills through reality-based training. The annual police academy offers instruction in defensive tactics, emergency medical services, emergency vehicle operation, applying field sobriety tests, processing crime scenes and a plethora of other training topics. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/appliedlearning/lawenforcement.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

SUNY Potsdam Police Academy Director Sonny Duquette (front row, third from left) sits beside Assistant Director and SUNY Potsdam Police Chief Shane Ashley (front row, third from right), surrounded by all the graduating officers, just before the start of their graduation ceremony on July 18 in Knowles Hall.

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