Twenty-four people graduated from Class 59 of the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy, starting their law enforcement careers at Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus on Dec. 11.
Two will serve with the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office — Oren Johnson and Ryan Shamberger — while Andres Cervantes will join the Cottonwood Police Department.
In his graduation remarks, Sedona Police Department recruit and NARTA Class 59 president John Klafin said he couldn’t ignore the call to serve in law enforcement, even after a career in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces officer that was followed by a stint as an engineer for a tech company in Chandler.
“It was a great job, full of technical challenges,” he said of his engineer position. “I stayed for over 24 years. But something was missing. What I realized here at NARTA is that what was missing was service — service to the nation, the world and, like us now, to our communities. If you are truly called to serve, nothing else can satisfy that part of you.”
The keynote speaker, Prescott Valley Police Chief Robert Ticer, recounted on-duty experiences that were fraught with danger but calmed with kindness and respect for the people he encountered, arrested and even helped send to prison.
“Being nice doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human and approachable,” he said.
The following are the NARTA Class 59 graduates and the Verde Valley law enforcement agencies they will be serving:
- Sedona Police Department cadets: Felix Alcaraz, Nicholas Croce, Tyler Hardy and Klafin
- Coconino County Sheriff’s Office: Zachary Clifford and Johnny Mitchell
- Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office: Brandon Lamca and Payten Schmidt
Graduates will also serve with the Flagstaff Police Department, Northern Arizona University Police Department, and the Payson, Prescott, Prescott Valley and Yavapai College police departments.
