Did someone you love graduate from the police academy? They deserve some serious recognition for their achievement.
Graduating from the police academy is a major accomplishment. The training is thorough, rigorous, and hard. Many people say the police academy is harder than military basic training.
The training covers an enormous amount of information and skills, including firearms proficiency, operating a law enforcement vehicle, using non-lethal defense weapons like pepper spray and tasers, criminal investigation, traffic safety, and de-escalation training.
Police academy cadets also undergo simulation-based training with exercises that simulate responding to calls and patrolling.
The entire academy program spans 26 weeks for RCMP officers and between 13 and 34 weeks for a police officer. RCMP cadets live on site in The Depot for their entire training period, but municipal cadets go home at the end of the night.
If your loved one made it through the academy, here’s how you can celebrate their achievement.
1. Get them a personalized police graduation gift
Your loved one has sworn a powerful oath to the community they are going to serve and should be recognized for that commitment. Honor them with a personalized oath of honor graduation plaque that displays the law enforcement oath of honor.
The oath reads:
“On my honor, I will never betray my badge,
my integrity, my character, or the public trust.
I will always have the courage to hold myself
and others accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution,
my community, and the agency I serve.”
On this particular plaque, the oath is displayed underneath the graduate’s name and the police academy symbol is displayed overlaid across the U.S. flag.
Why do people love personalized gifts?
There are personalized gifts available in every corner on the internet. Why are they so popular? Most people enjoy personalized items because it makes them feel appreciated and special. Researchers from the University of Texas discovered that a preference for personalization stems from the desire for control, which is rooted in the desire for choice.
A personalized gift tells someone the giver really thought about them and took their interests and preferences into account while buying the gift. The recipient knows they’re not just getting some random product ordered in bulk and gifted to everyone. According to the University of Texas study, when people are given personalized experiences, they feel more in control of their life, which results in a positive psychological orientation to life.
Personalization is seductive. That’s why marketers work so hard to serve personalized ad content to website visitors and social media users. No matter how many people say they don’t like ads, they’re more likely to engage with advertising content when it’s personalized.
2. Take them out to dinner
Taking someone out to dinner for a celebration isn’t unique, but it’s always appreciated. You can never have too many celebratory dinners.
Find out what your loved one’s favorite type of food is, and instead of taking them somewhere they’ve been a thousand times, find a new restaurant to visit. Search for a restaurant with a phenomenal reputation, even if it’s fifty miles away.
Call ahead and speak to the manager to find out if they can do something special for your loved one to help you celebrate their achievement. They might be willing to provide a special dessert with candles like they do for birthdays, except you won’t have them sing the happy birthday song.
A special night out for dinner is also a great opportunity to present them with a personalized plaque celebrating their graduation.
Great food always tastes better when you’re surrounded by great company.
3. Ask them to share their experiences in the academy
Another fun way to celebrate is to ask your loved one to share their experiences in the police academy. They’ve definitely got some stories to share. Plenty of people post their funny police academy stories on Reddit, and some of the stories are hilarious.
Sharing stories is a great way to bond with other people and your loved one probably had some interesting experiences in the academy they can’t wait to share.
People love feeling like others are listening to them, so asking them to share their stories is a great way to appreciate them and make them feel special.
4. Gift your loved one a personalized police graduation prayer plaque
Gift your loved one a personalized graduation plaque that displays a prayer to archangel Michael. This congratulatory cross-shaped plaque displays your loved one’s name above a prayer that reads:
“ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do those, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.”
The date of graduation is displayed at the bottom of the plaque, along with a spot for your name as the giver.
Personalized plaques are the ultimate sheriff’s academy graduation gifts.
5. Give your graduate a gift card to their favorite store
The ultimate gift is personalized, but gift cards to a favorite store are always a great gift. Instead of giving your graduate cash or random gifts you’re not sure they want or need, give them a gift card to their favorite store.
If they don’t have a favorite store, give them an Amazon gift card or a basic Visa gift card. Giving gift cards is a great addition to personalized gifts.
6. Throw a surprise party
Who doesn’t like surprise parties? Get your friends and family together to throw a surprise party for your graduate. At the party, set up some fun games to play that are related to their new profession. For example, instead of playing “pin the tail on the donkey” you can play “pin the tail on the criminal” or something silly like that. Make the party fun and don’t be afraid to play corny games. The academy was tough; they deserve some rest.
We have plenty of police academy graduation gift ideas
No matter what kind of gift you give to your loved one, they’ll appreciate the personalized gifts most. With so many personalized gifts to choose from, don’t settle for cheap trinkets. Browse around for some great gift ideas for new police officers.
Get your graduate a personalized police academy graduation plaque that fits their personality. They won’t forget your appreciation.
