The “Thin Blue Line” in Northeastern Arizona added what was deemed “the new blue line” during the June 21, 2024, swearing-in of four new peace officers. The “new blue line” is the latest class of cadets who recently completed the intensive 21-week Arizona Peace Officer Standards for Training (AzPOST) at Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC), Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (NALETA).
Presiding Navajo County Superior Court District I Judge Joseph Clark administered the oath of office to the recruits. Sworn in were new Apache County Sheriff deputies Justin Brown and Payttan Snyder, along with Round Valley Police Department’s newest officer Matthew Ryan (who was also the class’s leader), and Snowflake/Taylor Police Department’s Dalton Delisle.
Snowflake/Taylor Chief of Police Robert Martin was the ceremony’s guest speaker and addressed the cadets directly. “This is not just a job,” he told them. “Those who think of this profession as just a job will not succeed, they will not continue, and they will not get the fulfillment that this career has to offer. That should scare you,” he told the recruits. “However, it should also be a challenge to you and make your heart race with excitement, fear, and anticipation.” Chief Martin continued to explain to the recruits the top ten ways to get the most out of the profession. He encouraged them to take ownership of their actions and admit their faults; to treasure, protect, and promote the profession; to have courageous conversations and stand up for their convictions; to embrace change and growth and stay engaged; to relentlessly pursue improvement; to plan achievable goals every day; to be a fanatic about response times and do what they say they will do; to start things that need to be started; to be excellent in the small things; and most importantly, to honor their commitments.
Chief Martin explained, “You will soon be sworn in as police officers for the state of Arizona and will take an oath. If you say those words, honor them,” he said. “Honor your commitment. Today you will be given something that no other profession will ever possess, power and authority. They are fragile, easy to damage, and even easier to abuse,” he cautioned. “Honor your commitment.” In closing, Chief Martin cited Theodore Roosevelt as he advised the cadets to take one very important thing to heart. “No man is above the law and no man is below it. Nor do we seek any man’s permission when we ask them to obey it.”
Sergeant Pete Salazar (SLPD), served as NALETA’s spring 2024 class supervisor. Officer Eduardo Bonilla guided the recruits through the academy and co-served as the class supervisor. During the ceremony, Officer Bonilla presented the Top Firearms and Top Physical Fitness Awards to Apache County Sheriff’s Office’s recruit Justin Brown. The class’s Top Academic Award went to Round Valley recruit Matthew Ryan. The Top Defensive Driving award went to Snowflake/Taylor Police recruit Dalton Delisle who also was awarded the prestigious David Kellywood Top Recruit Award. A special award was also given to Apache County Sheriff’s Office recruit Payton Snyder for hitting the most cones during the class’s defensive driving training.
NALETA is a partnership with regional law enforcement agencies that assign sworn officers as instructors under NPC’s Public Safety Education program. Centrally located at the Northeast Arizona Training Center (Jake Flake Emergency Services Institute), in Taylor, NALETA is a fully accredited AzPOST “closed” academy. This means students can only enroll in the police academy under the sponsorship of a local law enforcement agency.
At a minimum, a prospective recruit must be at least 21 years of age by the end of the academy; and be able to pass a variety of tests. These include physical agility, firearms, written tests, a background investigation, and a polygraph.
For more information about AzPOST eligibility requirements visit post.az.gov or contact the police or sheriff’s office where you would like to begin your law enforcement career. Tribal officers, Game and Fish wardens, and agricultural inspectors are also sworn peace officers.
To learn more contact NPC’s Director of NALETA and Public Safety Education, Chad Kreuger at (928) 536-6263, or chadley.kreuger@npc.edu or visit NPC’s website, https://www.npc.edu/natc.
