Sumner, Robertson officers graduate from academy with awards in academics, athletics

Local law enforcement cadets in Robertson and Sumner Counties were recently presented awards during Class 131 academy graduation ceremonies.

Officers Trent Holtzleicer with the Gallatin Police Department and Cesar Saldivar with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office were recognized among the 58 cadets at Walters State Regional Law Enforcement Academy.

The students were given awards in established disciplines, a press release said.

Holtzleicer, of Castalian Springs, received best athlete and an academic award, while Saldivar, of Springfield, received the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association Award.

The men were part of a nine-week course that gave them more than 500 hours of training at the Niswonger Campus in Greeneville, according to a press release.

​Established by the Police Officers Standards and Training Commission, the program falls under the school’s Public Safety Center of Emphasis, the release said.

Cadets from more than 20 counties across the state graduated from the East Tennessee Regional Law Enforcement Academy program.

Also among the graduates were Gailon Hodges III, of Cottontown. who serves with the Gallatin Police Department, Cameron Smith, of Orlinda, and Rebecca Kroger, of Portland, both with the Springfield Police Department and Kasim Barnes and Ryan Farrell, both of Gallatin, and both with the Gallatin Police Department.

Technical certificates in Basic Law Enforcement Officer Education were awarded to all graduates.

Cadets are eligible to apply for certification by the POST Commission as a certified peace officer after being employed by a law enforcement agency in the state.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sumner, Robertson officers graduate from academy with awards in academics, athletics