Cohort of Police & Peace Officers Graduate from SUNY Potsdam’s Law Enforcement Training Institute
Graduates of the Fall 2025 class at SUNY Potsdam’s Law Enforcement Training Institute gathered for a photo behind Assistant Director and SUNY Potsdam Police Chief Shane Ashley (front left) and Academy Director Sonny Duquette (front right).
The graduates were as follows: Front row, standing (left to right): Christopher Paige, Canton Police Department; Bryan Dillon, Norwood Police Department; Michael Manley of Newburgh (Class of 2026); Rachelle Cain of Skaneateles (Class of 2026), and Emma Gravlin of Lisbon (Class of 2026).
Back row, standing (left to right): Bryson Murray of Potsdam (Class of 2026); Drew Costello of Ogdensburg (Class of 2026); Trent Dow, Gouverneur Police Department; Blake Sharlow, SUNY Potsdam University Police; Ryley O’Connell, Saranac Lake Police Department, and Steven Clark, St. Lawrence County Probation Department.
The SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute proudly celebrated the graduation of its Basic Police and Peace Officer Training program during a ceremony held on Dec. 12 in Knowles Hall.
The ceremony marked the culmination of several months of rigorous training that began in June, during which recruits received instruction from 71 specialty-topic instructors representing federal, state, county, city and village law enforcement agencies. More than 250 family members, friends and law enforcement professionals gathered to recognize the graduates on their final day of training.
The graduating class included five locally hired municipal police officers, one probation officer, and five SUNY Potsdam pre-employment college students who took the training as part of their college degrees. All graduates successfully earned their New York State basic police training certifications, and the hired officers will now begin intensive field training programs with their respective agencies.
Graduates include:
- Bryan Dillon, Norwood Village Police Department
- Rachelle Cain ’26, Pre-Employment (Skaneateles, N.Y.)
- Steven Clark, St. Lawrence County Probation Department
- Drew Costello ’26, Pre-Employment (Ogdensburg, N.Y.)
- Trent Dow, Gouverneur Village Police Department
- Emma Gravlin ’26, Pre-Employment (Lisbon, N.Y.)
- Michael Manley ’26, Pre-Employment (Newburgh, N.Y.)
- Bryson Murray ’26, Pre-Employment (Ogdensburg, N.Y.)
- Ryley O’Connell, Saranac Lake Village Police Department
- Christopher Paige, Canton Village Police Department
- Blake Sharlow, SUNY Potsdam University Police
The SUNY Potsdam Law Enforcement Training Institute remains committed to developing the next generation of public safety professionals through high-quality, comprehensive training programs that prepare recruits for successful careers in law enforcement and community service.
The next Police/Officer Academy cohort begins Jan. 20, 2026, and will include police officers, peace officers and pre-employment SUNY Potsdam students. At the same time, the institute will host a multi-week Police Instructor Development School, providing veteran police officers the opportunity to earn state certification as police instructors.
Also beginning in January, the institute will offer a state-certified, multi-week Police Supervisory Course designed for newly promoted police sergeants, lieutenants and chiefs across upstate New York.
As a New York State-accredited police academy, SUNY Potsdam's Law Enforcement Training Institute offers in-service training for agencies throughout St. Lawrence County using top-of-the-line simulators, simulation tools, and facilities designed to improve decision-making skills through reality-based training. The annual police academy offers instruction in defensive tactics, emergency medical services, emergency vehicle operation, applying field sobriety tests, processing crime scenes and a plethora of other training topics.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.