By Courtney Rabideau (Contact / Staff Bio)
August 9, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

CARO ‹ About 4,000 men and women applied for a position in the exclusive Police Academy and only 130 of them were granted acceptance.

Among them was Andy Hecht, a Caro native and fireman for five years.

“I’ve always had an interest in both firefighting and police work, my family has been involved in both,” he commented.

“Up until now, I’ve focused on firefighting, but with the reopening of the Police Academy, I decided to give it a try.”

The Academy itself hasn’t been in operation since 2004. With approval from the state, it’s reopening its doors four years later.

“The whole application process lasts a full year,” Hecht explained. “I applied in April, but with the reopening, the Academy is speeding up the process and what is usually done in 12 months I’ve done in several.”

The twelve-step process calls for intensive background checks, multiple interviews, a written test and physical agilities, among other requirements.

“These past few months have been busy, to say the least,” said Hecht.

Due to the expedited process, Hecht has had to take time off work and drive back and forth to Lansing on various occasions.

On Sunday, Hecht leaves for the Lansing State Police Training Facility, where he will spend the next 19 weeks.

His graduation from the program is set for Dec. 16.

“Only one percent of applicants to the program are guaranteed a spot in the program. I feel very honored,” he added.