Nicole Pellegrini of the Aviation Authority Police Department graduated this month as the first in her class at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Her achievement was recognized today by the Aviation Authority governing board.
Being at the top of her class of 70 law enforcement officer trainees earned Pellegrini the coveted Joseph Preston “Peter” Strom Award and the Distinguished Graduate Award.
“We are immensely proud of Officer Pellegrini,” said Chief Doug Isley of the Aviation Authority Public Safety Department. “She had no previous law enforcement experience and has shown immense drive and motivation since being hired. We congratulate her on her accomplishments at the Criminal Justice Academy and look forward to having her start her law enforcement career with us.”
The Strom award is presented to the student in each class who attains the highest cumulative academic score for all unit tests. It is named in honor of Pete Strom who served as the chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) from 1956 until his death in 1987. He was considered by many to be the driving force behind a movement towards professionalism in South Carolina law enforcement. The Distinguished Graduate Award is given to each student who attains a cumulative academic score of at least 96 percent.
Pellegrini is a graduate of Wando High School and the College of Charleston where she earned a degree in political science. She was hired by the Aviation Authority in November 2017. While awaiting her Criminal Justice Academy training date she assisted the department with its training and accreditation. At the Criminal Justice Academy, she served as the assistant class leader, a position typically assigned to a person with either prior military or law enforcement service.
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