The graduation theme of Pomp and Circumstance echoed in the common area the evening of April 20 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in New London. It may have sounded like an odd tune to play on the house piano, but not to the 19 graduates of the Citizens Police Academy Class of New London.

What an extraordinary 11-week experience for all, students as well as instructors.

I signed up so as a broadcast journalist I could better understand the inner-workings and operations of the New London Police Department. This old dog can learn new tricks.

From day number one, the administrative staff; police chief, deputy chief, captains and lieutenants who thoroughly explained in a classroom setting and field case scenarios about the history of the department and every aspect of a modern policing.

Each Wednesday night when I returned home from class I would expound on the lessons learned. Then, the next few days in the office I would exclaim to my WFSB colleagues the value of such a rich weekly session for working journalists.

Bravo Mayor Passero, Chief Administrative Officer Fields, Police Chief Ackley and the command staff of the NLPD for your time and dedication in reaching out to the community.

Continued success with the September Citizens Police Academy.

Kevin Hogan

Graduate, Class of 2016

Lyme

Editor's note: Mr. Hogan is the New London bureau chief for WFSB-TV Channel 3.