In brief: Spokane law enforcement academy produces 27 graduates

The first Basic Law Enforcement Academy to be held on the east side of the Cascades since 2008 wrapped up Wednesday when 27 new police officers and sheriff’s deputies graduated.

The five-month course required of all new law enforcement officers has previously been offered only in Burien, Washington, in recent years, increasing expenses for law enforcement agencies on the east side of the state.

The academy used to be offered in Spokane before it was ended because of budget issues several years ago, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said.

“It’s nice to have the academy back,” Knezovich said.

Seven new Spokane County sheriff’s deputies were part of the graduating class, along with four Spokane police officers and one Liberty Lake police officer. Other law enforcement agencies from the Tri-Cities, Pullman, Wenatchee and Yakima were also part of the graduating class.

Nina Culver

Park ceremony honors slain CdA officer

Coeur d’Alene police Sgt. Greg Moore and other officers killed while on duty will be honored Friday in a wreath-laying ceremony at Fallen Heroes Plaza in the city’s Cherry Hill Park.

The 1 p.m. ceremony, held in recognition of National Police Week and on National Peace Officers Memorial Day, will feature a police honor guard with officers from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Rathdrum Police Department. The park is at 15th Street and Hazel Avenue in Coeur d’Alene.

Moore died May 5 from a gunshot wound he received early that morning while on patrol. Police arrested a suspect, Jonathan D. Renfro, 26, who faces charges including first-degree murder.

“We all continue to grieve the recent death of Coeur d’Alene Police Sergeant Greg Moore,” police spokeswoman Sgt. Christie Wood said in a news release. “The risk that comes with wearing the uniform has never been greater.”

More than three times as many officers were killed during a crime in 2014 than the year before, according to recent FBI statistics. Last year, 51 officers in the U.S. died in car chases, traffic stops and ambushes and while responding to other calls.

The wreath ceremony is open to the public.

Scott Maben