For the Star Journal

Nicolet College recently graduated 13 students from its Law Enforcement Recruit Academy. Each is eligible to be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Justice as law enforcement officers. The 720-hour program included a mix of classroom and hands-on scenario training to give students the skills necessary to respond to a multitude of situations. Many of the graduates are already employed by area departments.

Pictured in front, Deputy Jacob Schleicher, Vilas County Sheriff’s Office; Tracy Priebe, Rhinelander; Deputy Alyssa Knabenbauer, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Austin Wadzinski, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office; Officer Jordan Hartman, Eagle River Police Department; Officer Ryan Montalto, Wausau Police Department; Deputy Andrew (AJ) Berg, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

In the second row, Deputy Thomas Mantsch, Forest County Sheriff’s Office; Officer Ryan Larsen, Rhinelander Police Department; Jordan Keeble, Crandon; Michael Bryner, Crandon; Officer Dustin Wichmann, Eagle River Police Department; and Heath Karaba, Rhinelander.

All 13 received technical diplomas; Keeble, Bryner and Karaba earned associate degrees in criminal justice-law enforcement from Nicolet. The next recruit academy starts in January. Anyone interested can contact academy director Tim Gerdmann at 715-365-4535 or email tgerdmann@nicoletcollege.edu.