Tennessee State Parks announced that nine park rangers graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) in Nashville on Friday.
The rangers were part of a class of more than 80 newly-trained law enforcement officers that completed a rigorous 10-week course. The graduates received technical and tactical training, as well as ethical and professional standards of law enforcement necessary for success.
Graduates include:
· John Ball – Pickwick Landing State Park
· Justine Cucchiara – Seven Islands State Park
· Kristen Deaton – Montgomery Bell State Park
· Charles Park Greer – South Cumberland State Park
· Wes Grigsby – Tims Ford State Park
· Keifer Helle - Standing Stone State Park
· Melissa Jones – Paris Landing State Park
· Ryan Maddux – Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park
· Robert Thomas – Booker T. Washington State Park
Park rangers received two of the three class awards presented at the ceremony. Pickwick Landing State Park’s John Ball received the Outstanding Officer Award, presented by the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association. Paris Landing State Park’s Melissa Jones received the Leadership Award, presented by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
Tennessee State Parks Chief Ranger Shane Petty was the graduation speaker. Chief Ranger Petty oversees all law enforcement operations within the 55 state parks. He graduated from TLETA at the top of his class in 1989 and has been a member of the visiting faculty at TLETA since 1998.
TLETA was authorized by the 1963 General Assembly for the purpose of training state, county and city law enforcement officers. The Academy is located on a 55-acre parcel at 3025 Lebanon Pike in Donelson. In 1999, the Academy was awarded accreditation by the Commission on Law Enforcement Accreditation Inc., (CALEA), along with other Department of Safety law enforcement divisions.
Tennessee’s 55 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families, or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. There is a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in the state, offering a variety of recreational, lodging and dining choices. For more information about Tennessee State Parks, visit http://tnstateparks.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter.