The Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy at Corning Community College graduated its 17th session of police recruits from the New York State Basic Course for Police Officers, March 10, and Cornell University Police recruits who attended earned several awards.

Police officer candidates enrolled in the police academy Oct. 7, 2002, and completed the course Feb. 11. Twenty officers representing police departments in Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung, Otsego, Tioga and Steuben counties successfully completed the rigors of the academy. Four Cornell Police officers who attended received awards:

o Denise Schulze, a dispatcher for eight years with Cornell Police who recently made the transition to patrol officer, was awarded the "most improved cadet" award for her dedication and determination, which was evidenced from the first day of the course through to graduation.

o Timothy Dewey, a new Cornell Police hire on Aug. 22, 2002, was named "class leader" for the entire course and also received recognition for finishing third in the academics portion of the academy.

o Evan Soldatelli, also a new hire on Aug. 22, 2002, tied for second place in the academy's firearms qualification.

o Scott Grantz, also hired last Aug. 22, missed out on the "top overall recruit" award by .25 of a point in the overall average, while finishing second in academics, second in the physical training qualification tests and tied for second in the firearms qualification.

The police academy graduates from Cornell have now re-entered the 18 week Field Training and Evaluation Program with Cornell Police, which they also must complete successfully prior to receiving a permanent position with the department.