ATF special agent gives keynote address at SLEA graduation
Todd H. Reichert, supervisory special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, gave the recent graduates from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy a simple directive for their careers.
“I want to pass on a universal guiding principal, and that is to do the right thing,” he said. “What drives you in law enforcement should be doing right thing.”
Reichert was on hand Dec. 10 when 22 new officers were graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. Already hired by their respective departments, the new recruits attended SLEA for 11 weeks of intensive training that prepared them to be highly qualified officers.
Graduates from the BA 11-01 class are Luis Alejandre, Norridge Police Department; Gregory Bowers, West Chicago Police Department; Emily Field, Northwestern University Police Department; Sean Gibson, Skokie Police Department; Michael Hamblin, Elmhurst Police Department; David Hardt, Deerfield Police Department; Benni Jonsson, Skokie Police Department; Peter Klockars, DuPage County Sheriff's Office; Darrell McDonald, Evanston Police Department; John Oakley, Skokie Police Department; Amanda Olsta, Taylorville Police Department; Jennifer Pochowicz, DuPage County Sheriff's Office; Ryan Rafferty, Skokie Police Department; Jeremy Rimmer, DuPage County Sheriff's Office; Christopher Sanders, Crystal Lake Police Department; Bradley Schroeder, Deerfield Police Department; Ryan Sieckman, Bartlett Police Department; Adam Stander, St. Charles Police Department; Michael Tadley, Northbrook Police Department; Brad Tokarz, Deerfield Police Department; Luis Velez, Evanston Police Department; and Garren Zerfass, Skokie Police Department.
In addition, the following graduates received awards:
• Leadership: Luis Velez, Evanston Police Department
• Academic Achievement: Benni Jonsson, Skokie Police Department
• Firearms: Jennifer Pochowicz, DuPage County Sheriff's Office
• Physical Fitness: Ryan Sieckman, Bartlett Police Department; Jeremy Rimmer, DuPage County Sheriff's Office
• George Graves Award: Michael Tadley, Northbrook Police Department
Reichert started his career as a police officer for the city of Carrolton, Texas, in 1985. In 1990, Reichert became a Special Agent with ATF in the Firearms Trafficking Group of the Chicago Field Division. He was promoted to the Resident Agent in Charge of the Downers Grove I Field Office, Rockford Satellite Office and the Fox Valley Gang Taskforce in Aurora from 2002 to 2007. In 2008, Reichert transferred to bureau headquarters in Washington, D.C., serving in Public Affairs and the Inspections Division before transferring back to Chicago as the group supervisor of the ATF Firearms Trafficking Group/Taskforce in 2010.
“Our profession is unique,” he told the graduates. “The entry-level position is a patrol officer, and by far it's one of the most challenging positions across the board. You will learn to deal with people from all walks and backgrounds. You will learn to respect and properly use the authority given to you. Crime happens everywhere, and you are the first line of defense.
“Despite the aggravation and pressures of the job, you'll hear on numerous occasions the voice in the back of your head saying, ‘I can't believe I get paid to do this.'”
For more information about SLEA, visit: www.cod.edu/slea.