Hagerstown Police Academy Graduates First Class

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Hagerstown Community College's police academy has graduated its first class.

The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports the academy's first class of 18 recruits graduated Friday. The graduates are now going on to work at the Hagerstown Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Garrett County Sheriff's Office and the Taneytown Police Department.

Graduates receive certification to work at any police department in Maryland with the exception of the Maryland State Police, which has its own training facility.

A total of 20 recruits started with the class, but only 18 finished. The academy will start accepting applications Monday to fill 20 seats in the next class, which is scheduled to begin Jan. 2.

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