Eight GIPD Recruits Enrolled in 218th Police Academy Training Class

Grand Island, Neb. — For the first time ever, the Grand Island Police Department will be sending an all-time high of eight recruits to the academy to become full-time police officers.

The eight recruits are:
Walter Teepe
Carlos Parra
Gisel Lazaro
Rhegan Jensen
Bret Schamp
Solomon Russell
Aidan Graber
Cameron Petzoldt

"As our city grows, it’s on us to keep up,” GIPD Chief Kevin Denney said. “It’s a special time at the police department, and I can’t wait for these eight officers to hit the ground running at the academy and eventually for us here at GIPD.”

These eight recruits follow the recent Law Enforcement Training Center graduation of new GIPD officer Jason Derr, who was sworn in on Friday, August 16 by Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele.

With additional officers in the near future, Chief Denney has pointed to goals of restructuring the department’s administration while also creating an additional traffic unit.