New officers graduate from the state Law Enforcement Academy

HELENA – Sixty-two new officers who will serve in 40 agencies across the state graduated Nov. 8 from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within the Montana Department of Justice. 

One, Vincent Smart, will join the Libby Police Department.

A handful of others will join law enforcement agencies in Northwest Montana. They include Hilary Naleway, Columbia Falls Police Department; Jacob Dutter, Flathead County Sheriff's Office; Richard Nickolaus, Plains Police Department, Catherine Edson, Troy Haworth and Eric Henson, Kalispell Police Department.

The Academy provides basic and advanced training for state, county, city and tribal law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen was in attendance to congratulate and address the graduates.

“I am proud of what Montana’s newest law enforcement officers have accomplished during their time at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “They will face challenges most cannot imagine, but I’m confident they are prepared for what lies ahead in their law enforcement careers and will serve their communities with integrity.”