One of Perryville’s newest police officers found his way to Perryville in a non-traditional way.
Jeremy Tenney was one of the first to graduate from Perryville’s cadet training program.
The program began in January and those that participate in the program will be required to complete at least 680 hours of training, including an average of about 16 hours per week with the Perryville police department in order to prepare for work as a road officer, then they sign a contract for four years of service to the department.
Tenney graduated from the academy on June 9 and went to work for the Perryville department the following Monday, June 13.
“I’ve been in this area for a while,” Tenney said. “I worked for the children’s division investigator for two years for the entire circuit and then worked at the juvenile office in the courthouse and I really liked this area. With the interactions I had with this police department I wanted to transition to police, it just worked.”
Tenney spent four years in the Navy (2007-2011) and always envisioned himself as a police officer. After getting a degree in Criminal Justice.
“I worked at the Charleston Correctional Facility as a way to build up my resume for policing and there is just something about helping people,” Tenney said.
Tenney rotates from the night shift and the day shift every 28 days patrolling the streets of Perryville, responding to calls, and “whatever comes his way.”
“There are just different things you have to deal with,” Tenney said. “During the day you have school crossings, more accidents and more general calls just because there is more going on during the day. At night, it can be a little slower paced, or not. It just depends on the day or time in question.”
The ability to adapt to a changing environment is one trait that Tenney finds critical when on the job.
“Sometimes you’re searching through a building or talking to a lady about an incident,” Tenney said. “People just want to be heard when it comes to that sort of thing, so I always want to make sure that is the case. Each call is different and you have to be ready for that.”
Tenney has enjoyed his time in Perryville so far.
“I like the small town feel and it always seems like we have something going on,” Tenney said. “We have Bikers on the Square and the other events like that. There are so many things sometimes that people don’t know what all Perryville has. We have a lot of different services that help people.”
Tenney is required to be in Perryville for four years, but sees himself in this area for much longer.
“I think this is a good place,” he said. “The school systems are close by and we have great schools here. This community really knows how to help each other out. Perryville is a diamond in the rough.”
