MPD’s Fahey graduates from police academy

Marion officer receives several awards for performance in training

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) Law Enforcement Training Academy recently held graduation ceremonies for the Fall 2023-B LETA class.

Arkansas State Representative Shad Pearce was the keynote speaker. Pearce is serving his first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives where he represents District 40, which includes portions of Independence, Cleburne, and White Counties. H is the House Vice Chair for the House Rules Committee. He also serves on the House Judiciary, House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative, and Military Affairs committees.

Pearce earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Arkansas State University. He is a retired captain from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and a BRTC LETA alumnus.

The BRTC LETA Fall 2023-B graduation took place on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Randolph County Development Center on the BRTC Pocahontas campus. Among the graduates was a member of local law enforcement who was a standout among his colleagues.

‘The Marion Police Department would like to congratulate the 2023 B graduating class of the Law Enforcement Training Academy and Black River Technical College,” said Marion Chief of Police Brannon Hinkle. “We would like to especially congratulate our very own Officer Matthew Fahey. In addition to completing the academy, Officer Matthew Fahey received several awards for his accomplishments throughout the academy. Officer Fahey was awarded 1st Place in Academics, for the officer who receives the highest academic scores, 2nd Place Award in Firearms training, the Jami L Cook Award of Excellence, which is presented to an exceptional student who exhibits an exemplary commitment to ethical service as a law enforcement officer in the State of Arkansas. The student’s foundation of excellence is demonstrated through perseverance, resilience, and integrity-driven conduct that distinguishes the student from their peers, and the Overall Best Award for the officer whose combined scores were the highest overall average in Academics, Firearms, and Physical Fitness Training. Congratulations Officer Fahey.”

Black River Technical College is a 2-year community college in Pocahontas and Paragould which offers associate degrees and certificates in general education and technical and career education. The College houses one of the state’s law enforcement training academies and fire science academies. BRTC has 1,500 full- and part-time students.

For more information about the BRTC Law Enforcement Training Academy, contact Director Jason Bassham at (870) 248-4190 or email jared.bassham@blackriver tech.edu.

Marion police officer Matthew Fahey receives one of many awards he earned during his training at Black River Technical College’s law enforcement training academy.

Photo courtesy of MPD