Somewhere, maybe somewhere close to you, the chances are better now that a trained peace officer will have the necessary skills to keep you and your family safe.

The 10 days of intensive training, eight hours each day, two days in the classroom and eight days on the range paid off last week for cadets in the Delta Montrose Technical College Law Enforcement Academy.

All 12 members of academy class for 2012-1 earned 100 percent scores on their firearms qualification. And, all did it not just once as required for certification, but three consecutive times.

That means somewhere, when these cadets have become certified peace officers, they will have the confidence and the competence to handle situations that require protecting innocent lives.

The cadets all qualified with their required 100 percent ratings on the first of three qualification chances they were given. Though they had all passed the firearms certification test on the first round, they all shot second qualification rounds and all again scored 100 percent.

A third day of qualification had been scheduled. Though it was unneeded for this class of 2012-1, all 12 cadets stepped up with pride on the line to see which ones would complete the "trifecta" of three consecutive 100 percent rounds.

They all scored 100 percent for a third time.

The qualification shoots involve situational scenarios that include shooting while retreating, clearing gun jams and continuing to fire, and other situations.

The cadets fire 25 rounds with a semiautomatic service sidearm in each qualification, and every shot has to hit the mark.

"It was definitely an accomplishment," said firearms instructor and 1993 academy graduate Duane Morton, now with the Delta County Sheriff's office. That high level of marksmanship has not been displayed before by an academy class.

The Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements for certification have been recently revamped. New training procedures were installed at the academy which are proving their effectiveness.

Former academy director Steve Dunivan was transitioning to his new position with the district attorney's office as the class of 2012-1 began its training. "They really stepped up and took responsibility for their training and the class's success," Dunivan said.

Instructors in addition to Morton are Steve Gottlieb, Olathe PD; Roy Spiker, Cedaredge PD; Ric Hawk, Olathe PD; and Alex Kroncher, Olathe PD.

Dunivan noted that four of the 12 cadets were sponsored by area law enforcement agencies. They will all graduate April 13.

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