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Date 6-30-06
Contact David Tisdale 601.266.4499
WITH PHOTOS
Hattiesburg—After returning home from military
duty in Iraq, Justin Grafton of Gulfport began pondering career
options and decided that he would continue to serve his country,
but on the local level. That led him to pursue the community police
training and education program offered by the Southern Regional
Public Safety Institute (SRPSI).
“When I got back from Iraq, I wanted to do something different,”
Grafton said. “Serving the community (in law enforcement) seemed
like the way to go.”
Grafton, who will work with the Gulfport Police Department, was
one of 20 people who graduated from the program Friday at Camp Shelby,
where SRPSI instruction and training is held, after the program
was moved from its Hurricane Katrina-damaged facility at the University
of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.
The SRPSI is certified and accredited by the Mississippi Board
on Law Enforcement and Officers Standards and Training. Since 1987,
it has graduated more than 2,400 basic law enforcement cadets and
more than 5,000 veteran officers in advanced and specialized disciplines.
Recognized as the state’s leader in community-oriented police training
and education, the institute primarily serves south Mississippi
because of its location. However, agencies across the state have
sent students to the SRPSI.
State Public Safety Commissioner George Phillips, in his address
to the class, said that the primary purpose of government is the
safety of the public. “You are literally the front line of government,”
he said.
Dr. Julian Allen, Southern Miss Associate Vice President for Research
and Economic Development, also spoke during the ceremony and praised
the class for completing the rigorous training program and for choosing
a career in law enforcement. “I’d let them protect my family any
day of the week,” Allen said.
For more information about the SRPSI education and training program,
call Marie Maxwell at 601.558.2173 or Vickie Miller at 601.558.2172.
Click to enlarge
Justin Grafton of Gulfport shakes hands with State Public Safety Commissioner George Phillips during graduation ceremonies Friday for the Southern Regional Public Safety Institute, which is operated by the University of Southern Mississippi and the Harrison County Sheriff's Department. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Steve Rouse)
Click to enlarge
Twenty new police officers graduated from the Southern Regional Public Safety Institute, Friday at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss. The institute, which has graduated more than 2,400 basic law enforcement cadets and more than 5,000 veteran officers in specialized disciplines since 1987, moved to Camp Shelby from its Hurricane Katrina-damaged facility at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Miss. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Steve Rouse)
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