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COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER
ACADEMY
At the Meridian Police Department, all new Community Service Officers are required to attend 5-week in-house academy. The academy is conducted with a focus on education, and is not conducted as a military style, stress-discipline academy. During the academy, new officers will spend time in the classroom learning about Meridian City Ordinances and Department Policy, receive training on how to process a crime scene (i.e. crime scene photographs, dusting for fingerprints, collecting evidence, etc.) be certified to use Less than Lethal weapons systems, and learn Defensive Tactics skills.
MEET THE ACADEMY STAFF
Sergeant
Justin Dance
Sergeant Dance joined the Meridian Police Department in 2011 after 6 years with the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer and Patrol Corporal. In 2017, Sergeant Dance was promoted to Sergeant where he served as a Patrol Sergeant, Traffic Sergeant and K9 Sergeant. Additionally, he is part of the Building Search/Active Shooter and Defensive Tactics cadre where he enjoys teaching. Currently, Sergeant Dance serves as the Training Coordinator for the Meridian Police Department.
Corporal
Kevin Kinnaman
Corporal Kinnaman joined the Meridian Police Department in 2011 after 3 years with the El Paso Police Department. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Swat member and Impact team Detective. In 2021 Corporal Kinnaman was promoted and worked as a Corporal for the Impact team, Patrol and the Training Division. Corporal Kinnaman is an academy coordinator and instructs Firearm and Less Lethal courses in the academy and in service training.
FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM
Upon graduation from the Community Service Officer academy, new officers will be assigned to the Field Training Program. During the Field Training Program, officers will gain hands-on experience under the guidance of a Field Training Officer.
After successfully completing the Field Training Program, Community Service Officers will be assigned to the Patrol Division where they will work as members of patrol teams.
CONTACT
US
(208) 888-6678
PDRECRUITING@MERIDIANCITY.ORG
VISIT
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1401 EAST WATERTOWER STREET
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642
MONDAY-FRIDAY: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
TELL
US
Training Officer Justin Northway
In 2007, I joined the Meridian Police Department. For the first ten years of my law enforcement career, I worked as a Patrol Officer and Field Training Officer. As a Field Training Officer, I enjoyed teaching and instructing new police officers. In 2017, I became a Detective and served in the Criminal Investigations Division for approximately two years. In 2019, I had the privilege of being selected to become our department’s first Training Officer, where I currently work and assist with department wide training and instruct at our Meridian and Nampa Joint Police Academy.
Training Officer
Tavita Messenger
Officer Messenger joined the Meridian Police Department in 2016 with 2 years of prior law enforcement experience with the Twin Falls Police Department. Officer Messenger worked as a Patrol Officer and was later selected to be a Field Training Officer and Meridian Police Department Instructor. He has a passion and aptitude for raising up the next generation of officers which made for a seamless transition to the Meridian-Nampa Joint Patrol Academy as a Training Officer in September of 2021. Officer Messenger also serves on the Recruiting Team searching for quality individuals with a desire to serve in the Meridian community.