John Merriman and Austin Ashe, front, smile after their graduation from the Johnson County Regional Police Academy Dec. 21. The new officers had to complete a minimum of 650 hours of basic police training, which includes law knowledge; patrol and investigative procedures; human relations; practical problems; officer safety, fitness and health; and proficiency areas such as CPR, report writing, firearms and emergency vehicle operation. Pictured with the new graduates (from left to right): Officer John Williams, Sgt. Lance Wipf, Detective Deborah Rogers, Chief Richard Mann and Corporal Jese Sjorlund.