UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — After 19 weeks of rigorous training at the Penn State University Park campus, a new class of deputy sheriffs will soon return to their home communities ready to serve.

On May 19, they will graduate from the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Program, run by the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute (JASI). The academy trains newly hired sheriffs and deputy sheriffs from all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

After graduation, the deputies will take the necessary skills with them after undergoing instruction in several law enforcement areas, including Pennsylvania crime codes and civil procedures, cultural diversity, ethics, firearms, first responder/first aid, defensive tactics, courtroom security and physical training.

It was a call to serve that brought class president Daniel Cummings to law enforcement. After six years as a volunteer firefighter, he said he decided to make serving his community a career with the York County Sherriff’s Office.

“I joined the fire department when I was 16 years old and saw how the community supported first responders, so it has always been important for me to support the community,” Cummings said. “I think being able to serve them as deputy sheriff and make sure they are protected is just something I can do to give back.”

The graduating class of 35 deputies will be the 65th since the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency selected Penn State JASI as the academy’s administrator in 2000. Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs; judges; attorneys; and local, state and federal law enforcement officers help deliver the training.

Cummings said the trainers helped prepare him for all aspects of his new career.

“They put you in stressful situations and give you the training you need to be able to rely on yourself and know that when you are out in the real world and come across a situation that is stressful, you already know how to deal with it because you dealt with it here,” said Cummings.

Stacey Casiano had to spend time apart from her two children as she completed the academy, but said she is glad they will get to witness one of her proudest moments.

“I am really excited for them to come and watch me graduate and know that their mom is a deputy sheriff,” Casiano said.

She said the academy gave her the tools she needs to do be successful in her new career with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office.

“The most intense part of this whole program was defense tactics. Coming from Philadelphia, where there is a high crime rate, being prepared with these tools is necessary,” Casiano said.

Another important aspect of training for Casiano focused on cultural diversity.

“It was great because it showed you all the different cultures, races, religions and all the different things that you are going to come across that you might not be able to relate to, but you have to understand,” Casiano said.

Also from Philadelphia County, class platoon leader Daniel DePaolo took a step back from a successful career as an HVAC specialist to support his community as a deputy sheriff. A week out from graduation, he said he has already shed a tear just thinking about it.

“I always wanted to do it, but never had the chance. I guess you could say it is a dream come true,” DePaolo said. “We want to give our little part back to the community.”

JASI is a program of Penn State Outreach.