The Danville Police Department in partnership with Averett University and the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) held a G.R.E.A.T. Program graduation ceremony for the 11 new officers Friday, April 26.

The ceremony, held in the President’s Suite of the Frank R. Campbell Stadium at the E. Stuart James Grant North Campus, highlighted the work and contributions to Danville by Officers Marlene E. Carlson, Chanston K. Cobbs, Kinsey A. Deering, Steven A. Dennis, Matthew P. Donegan-Cheney, Qadir J. Ferguson, Recardo R. Ford, Christopher M. Hodnett, Darius D. Hutchings, Hailey M. Sanchez, and Monica R. Sanchez as they begin their career.

During the ceremony, officers presented two projects they completed within the last week in the city. At the Department of Social Services, officers coordinated a room renovation project for children that are in or entering the foster care program. The project involved painting a room within social services, adding new furniture, toys, a television, and a gaming system. The second project created new community gardens at New Ingram Heights Apartments and Pleasant View Apartments for residents to enjoy. Planted in the new garden spaces were cucumber, squash, and mustard collard green seeds.

Grass Roots Empowerment and Action Training (G.R.E.A.T.) is four weeks of classroom, workshop, and real-world training that enables officers to understand the history and inherent needs of the Danville community for new officers.

The Department wishes to extend a special thanks to the donors that made both projects possible, including Lowe’s Home Improvement, Salvation Army, Averett University, PIP Printing, and The Home Depot.