The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and San Bernardino Valley College celebrated the 219th Basic Academy Graduation with a virtual event on Sept. 10. 
 
The event was livestreamed so family and friends could honor the graduates from home. Class 219 began training on March 30, with 79 trainees, and 66 graduated. During 24 weeks of intensive training, they learned about patrol tactics, cultural diversity, ethics, and community policing and completed a rigorous fitness program. The students also received 36.5 community college units. 
 
SBVC's Paul Dennis, academy co-director, praised the graduates for their hard work and dedication to finishing training amid a pandemic. "To the men and women of this graduating class, I commend you for your perseverance, determination, and for your commitment," he said. "I know all too well that the journey you embarked on was not simple, but you made it, and for that we applaud you." 
 
The partnership between the Sheriff's Department and SBVC has been going strong for more than 50 years, and Dennis said the alliance "does so much to serve our community by providing outstanding educational pathways for so many law enforcement professionals throughout the region."