Spring 08
Vol. 13 No. 2

HPD cadets no more

Story by Dave Schafer

This is the last in a series of stories chronicling the cadets of police academy Class 193.

Elisabeth Blanton shakes Officer Durrell Dickens’ hand before walking on stage to get her officer’s badge pinned on by Police Chief Harold Hurtt. After six months of training, 54 members of cadet Class 193 graduated at the police academy Jan. 9.

They ran this floor countless times over the past six months, pumping closer to realizing a dream with each step. Running circles in the academy gym, once, twice, thrice, until sweat dampened the gray T-shirts that stated their last names above the numbers 193.

This time, though, they march over the carpet in crisp precision, taking the final steps to becoming the newest members of the Houston Police Department.

It’s graduation day for Class 193.

“For our cadets, tonight marks the end of civilian life and the beginning of a new life as a Houston police officer,” says Capt. Mary Lentschke. “The journey to this point was not easy. It wasn’t meant to be easy.”

The cadets leave training in pomp and circumstance, the gym overflowing with friends and family in their Sunday best.

“Over the past six months, we tested their knowledge, we challenged their endurance, and we worked to instill a sense of pride and commitment in their service to our community,” Lentscke says.

Fifty-four finish the journey, 10 fewer than started it. One who didn’t make it was Anne-Marie Pearson, featured in the summer and fall ’07 City Savvy issues. She dropped out for personal reasons.
“While law enforcement is still an interest, I have realized that it is no longer something I need to fulfill or define me,” she wrote.

“Class 193’s exceptional performance can be attributed to not only the instruction, training and support they received at the academy, but also to the character and commitment of each member of the class,” Lentscke says.

The cadets range in age from 21 to 42. Fifteen are from the military. Fourteen have family in law enforcement. Twenty-five have a bachelor’s degree and six an associate’s degree. Three are from Mexico, four from Vietnam.

“There aren’t that many ways that you can make a living and make as much of a difference as in law enforcement,” Mayor Bill White says. “This is a special opportunity.”

In the second row of cadets facing the stage, her back to the audience, Rolanda Johnson sits with her hat in her lap. All her 23 years she’s dreamed of being an officer. She’s overwhelmed and nervous, but that’s good, she thinks.

Cadets run the track during physical assessment on the third day of academy training. Cadet Ramon Escamilla and 53 other cadets graduated in January.

“When you put on that uniform, you’re an authority figure, no matter your age,” White says. “The people around you will see the uniform and expect you to be an authority figure. If you try to meet their expectations, you will be an authority figure, and it will have nothing to do with the uniform.”

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