Police Academy graduates another class

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Saturday, November 14, 2009

SELMA — The 136th Session of the Alabama Police Academy stood one last time as a class Friday morning when the officers took their oaths.

However, it is clear that none of them will forget the 12 weeks of training they spent together.

Of the 18 graduates two men in uniforms will soon become familiar to Selma citizens – officers James Britton Langston and Desmond Williams.

Langston and Williams were sworn in by the Selma Police Department in August, but Friday they took one more step to becoming police officers.

“The next thing on the agenda for Officers Langston and Williams is training with a field training officer,” said Chief of Police William T. Riley III. “The department will be glad to get them on board and I’m glad they finished the academy successfully.”

Williams will begin Saturday morning with Officer James Bevel acting as his field training officer and Langston starts Monday with Officer Natasha Rozzell training him.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones gave the graduation address for the 136th session and reminded them of the things that should matter most to any officer — family, the integrity of the profession and the bond between law enforcement officers. He also explained how they should use their oath to work as better officers.

“When you take your oath, you will swear to uphold the constitution,” Jones said. “That is a serious commitment. So every time you stop a car or answer a call, then you should look at that person as if they are the constitution because that is what it is about — the people.”

During the ceremony, Langston was honored for his position as sergeant- at-arms and Second Squad leader.

Both officers said they looked forward to their careers.

“I’m extremely excited and ready to start,” Langston said. “The 12 weeks of training at the academy has definitely given me more confidence about being a police officer.”

Williams as said his training at the academy helped him gain assurance in being an officer.

“The training was tough,” he said. “I know that it is really going to help us along the way.”

The Selma Police Department now has 53 officers, but has seven vacancies.

Authorities said the physical agility tests would start again soon and that group could fill the remaining spots.

“After the physical agility test next week, we hope to find some new candidates,” Riley said. “We want to fill those spots as fast as possible, but still get quality candidates at the same time.”

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