Six Talladega Police Department officers graduate from Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy
May 4, 2025
(Talladega, AL) Six new Talladega Police Department (TPD) officers were honored during a recent graduation ceremony at the Oxford Civic Center, following their successful completion of training at the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) at Jacksonville State University.
Officer Robert Crowe, Officer Patrick Hall, Officer Eduardo Juarez, Officer Tomas Dela Cruz Perez, Officer Jake Travis, and Officer Timothy Austin Wood were applauded by city leaders and others who attended the ceremony. Two of the six TPD officers held class leadership positions in the academy. Officer Wood served as class president, and Officer Juarez served as a class chaplain.
The training program combined rigorous classroom instruction with practical fieldwork, providing newly hired officers with a comprehensive foundation in the core principles and practices of law enforcement
“We are incredibly proud of our new officers for successfully completing the academy's rigorous 14-week training program, which has equipped them with skills and knowledge needed to serve and protect our community with excellence," said Interim Police Chief Ronald McElrath.
“At a time when police departments across the country face recruitment challenges, we are fortunate and proud to have six new police academy graduates," said City Manager Derrick Swanson. "In addition to marking a significant milestone in their careers, this increases the number of well-trained officers available to serve our community.”
LEA offers three basic training courses per year. Each Basic Course covers 560 hours of training over 14 weeks. During this time, students are provided with the entry level knowledge and skills needed to begin their careers in law enforcement.
Students must be sworn and employed by a law enforcement agency to attend a basic course at any academy in the state.
Pictured left to right: Captain Robert Curtis, Interim Police Chief Ronald McElrath, Officer Timothy Austin Wood, Officer Patrick Hall, Officer Eduardo Juarez, Officer Jake Travis, Officer Tomas Dela Cruz Perez, Officer Robert Crowe, Officer Nakia Garrett, Lt. John Staehly, City Manager Derrick Swanson, Councilman Steve Dickerson and Officer Nick Barnett.