Pictured L to R: BNPD Assistant Chief Jeff Besancon, Officer Jacob Benedict, Officer Mason Curtis, Officer Matthew Kuntz, Officer Michael Zanca, Officer Bryan Wilfong and Captain Eric Haworth
Benton Police Department congratulates five officers upon graduation April 13 from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Camden, Ark. Jacob Benedict, Mason Curtis, Matthew Kuntz, Bryan Wilfong and Michael Zanca all join the ranks of BNPD’s patrol unit.
During their academy session, they completed training in defensive tactics, academics, firearms, physical fitness and more. The officers will now participate in a 12-week Field Training Course with BNPD.
In addition to these accomplishments, Officer Kuntz walked away from the academy with two awards: first place in firearms with a score of 98.5 percent and third place in academics with a score of 95.15 percent.
“We are proud to have every one of these officers on our force,” said BNPD Chief Scotty Hodges, “and we look forward to working alongside them to keep our community safe.”
ALETA was established in 1963 by the Arkansas General Assembly for the training and instruction of state, county, municipal and other law enforcement officers. Basic and specialized law enforcement courses are taught at ALETA year round.
For more information, visit www.clest.org or contact BNPD at 501-776-5948 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.