Students get insight into police work

Members of the seventh Laguna Beach Police Department’s Citizen

Academy class graduated in style at Mark’s Restaurant.

“One of the most important things I shared with you the first

night we met was the tremendous love and appreciation I have for the

members of the Laguna Beach Police Department,” Chief James Spreine

said. “Part of our goal is that you’d walk away as ambassadors of

your police department and share our pride. Have we accomplished

that?”

The 20 graduates, along with family members and friends, responded

with a round of applause.

Alongside Spreine, Sgt. Darin Lenyi, who established the academy

four years ago, presented the following graduates with a certificate

and a plaque: Michael Aragon, Sharon Aragon, Duane Bickel, Mary

Castillo, Susan Colsman-Freyberger, Dave Connell, Diane Connell,

Sharon Custer, Kristi Ferguson, Patricia Griggs, Irwin Keller, Gavin

Kentle, Robin Levinson, Anna Nakama, Bo Nielsen, John Price, Gayle

Thorsen, Doris Wilkinson, Duane Young and Peggy Young.

Officers Larry Bammer and Patricia Etemadi attended as guests of

the class.

However, the ceremony also held a surprise for Spreine and Reserve

Officer Tom Wall, when they were presented with birthday cakes.

“I’ve worked in a lot of organizations, and leadership starts at

the top,” Wall said of Spreine after they had blown out their

candles.

Class President Gail Thorsen also presented thank you gifts on

behalf of the class to Lenyi, Spreine, Wall and Citizen on Patrol

Volunteer Ross Fallah.

“I bet all of you did things you never thought you would do,

didn’t you?” she asked the class.

The Citizen Academy is a 12-week, stress-free course that gives

members of the community the opportunity to learn about the Laguna

Beach Police Department through presentations and hands-on

experiences. The next academy will begin Feb. 26. Applications are

available. For more information, stop by the department, or contact

Lenyi at (949) 497-0750, ext. 230.