By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Macomb Community College Police Academy graduate Morgan Eskew has been working in Emergency Medical Services for nearly two years. Honored with the Robert Figurski Award at graduation, she is applying to public safety departments and is starting Macomb Community College Fire Academy this fall.

The 20-year-old Shelby Township resident was one of two pre-service cadets in a graduating class of 28 at Macomb Police Academy on May 18, 2026. 

Photo courtesy of Macomb Police Academy Macomb Police Academy graduate Morgan Eskew was honored with the Robert Figurski Award during the May 18, 2026 graduation ceremony.

The $500 Robert Figurski Award, which is sponsored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC), is given twice yearly at the discretion of the police academy to graduating cadets. To qualify, cadets must pass the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certification test and meet MCOLES employment standards to become certified Michigan Law Enforcement Officers.

“Honestly, I did not expect (the Award). I was really shocked when I got it,” Eskew said. “It means a lot! I’m really grateful for it. It will probably help me out with the fire academy with the cost of that and the books and stuff for it. (The fire academy) starts in September, so I’m going to apply for positions until then, but I’m going to go to the fire academy even if I don’t get sponsored.”

Eskew completed Macomb Police Academy with an 87.9 percentile. Her motivation to become a Public Safety Officer was evident throughout the training program.  

“Cadet Morgan Eskew has demonstrated a strong commitment to becoming a professional law enforcement officer and performed very well in the Macomb Police Academy,” said Michael Ciaramitaro, Macomb Police Academy Director. “Her background as an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic, and now her graduation from the Macomb Police Academy, will provide her with the skills needed to best serve the community. The POLC Robert Figurski (Award) is very well deserved.”

Continuously progressing in her education and training, Eskew became a licensed Paramedic in August 2025 and obtained an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Services from Macomb Community College in Dec. 2025.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do right out of high school. I knew I didn’t want to work a desk job,” Eskew said. “I started at MedStar for a couple months as an EMT and then I moved to Universal Macomb Ambulance Service, and I was an EMT there for about a year while I was doing my Medic. I’ve been a Medic there for 8 months. EMS was the way I went, and I love it!”

Witnessing public safety officers in action prompted her to expand her knowledge and skills to assist community members in multiple ways.

“Working on the ambulance, we work alongside a lot of different public safety departments, and we saw them on every single medical scene and I was really interested in what they do,” Eskew said. “I’m going to do all three (at a) public safety department — police, fire and EMS.”

Her positive experience at Macomb Police Academy solidified that she chose the perfect occupational path. 

“It was really great! Everyone in the academy was very friendly, very nice. All of the staff was very helpful,” Eskew said. “I would recommend the academy to anyone!”