By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Sean McGregor was recognized for his hard work at Macomb Community College Police Academy, but he was quick to credit Academy instructors for his success after receiving the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award.

“Honestly I’ve never shot a gun before this, so I came out of it feeling pretty confident with what they taught me,” McGregor said. “I came into it with zero experience to finishing in the top three.”

McGregor was selected by the academy to receive the $500 Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award, which is sponsored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC). The scholarship is given twice yearly, at the discretion of the college police academy, to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency.

“It just feels great to be recognized for all the hard work I put in throughout the last six years of my life,” McGregor said of his law enforcement education and training. “I feel like a lot of people put in a lot of effort (in this academy) and to be singled out for that is really special. Honestly, I couldn’t do anything like that without the instructors at Macomb.”

“Cadet McGregor stood out as a professional from the start of the academy and grew tremendously,” said Macomb Police Academy Director Michael Ciaramitaro. “He was always polite and respectful and is expected to perform well in law enforcement. He also stood out academically, finishing second in the Police Academy.”

McGregor, 24, is in the process of being hired by St. Clair Shores Police Department.

He was one of 12 non-sponsored cadets at the beginning of the academy to graduate May 13 among the 17 graduates. McGregor earned an associate degree in Law Enforcement from Macomb Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University.

“He was a top finisher academically and, in the firearms program,” Ciaramitaro said.