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COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER
ACADEMY
At the Meridian Police Department, all new Community Service Officers are required to attend 5-week in-house academy. The academy is conducted with a focus on education, and is not conducted as a military style, stress-discipline academy. During the academy, new officers will spend time in the classroom learning about Meridian City Ordinances and Department Policy, receive training on how to process a crime scene (i.e. crime scene photographs, dusting for fingerprints, collecting evidence, etc.) be certified to use Less than Lethal weapons systems, and learn Defensive Tactics skills.
MEET THE ACADEMY STAFF
Sergeant
Jon Salisbury
Sergeant Salisbury joined the Meridian Police Department in 2009 following over a decade of service as a USAF EOD Technician. His departmental career includes roles as a Patrol Officer, an FBI Violent Crime Task Force Officer, and an Impact Team Detective, alongside leading the Special Tactics Group’s Explosive Breacher Team. He is an instructor in multiple disciplines, including, Building Search, Active Shooter, Tactical Teams, and Explosive Breaching. Promoted to Corporal in 2021, he returned to the Impact Team after a tour in Patrol. In 2026, he was promoted to Sergeant and currently serves in the Training Division, overseeing the Joint Patrol Academy, Lateral Advanced Training and CSO Academ.
Corporal
Kevin Kinnaman
Corporal Kinnaman joined the Meridian Police Department in 2011 after 3 years with the El Paso Police Department. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Swat member and Impact team Detective. In 2021 Corporal Kinnaman was promoted and worked as a Corporal for the Impact team, Patrol and the Training Division. Corporal Kinnaman is an academy coordinator and instructs Firearm and Less Lethal courses in the academy and in service training.
FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM
Upon graduation from the Community Service Officer academy, new officers will be assigned to the Field Training Program. During the Field Training Program, officers will gain hands-on experience under the guidance of a Field Training Officer.
After successfully completing the Field Training Program, Community Service Officers will be assigned to the Patrol Division where they will work as members of patrol teams.
CONTACT
US
(208) 888-6678
PDRECRUITING@MERIDIANCITY.ORG
VISIT
US
1401 EAST WATERTOWER STREET
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642
MONDAY-FRIDAY: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
TELL
US
Training Officer
Ashley Horvath
Officer Horvath joined the Meridian Police Department in 2017 after 4 ½ years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Since joining the department, she has worked as a Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Crisis Intervention Officer, and Meridian Police Department Instructor. Her passion for training and development helped her to be selected as a Training Officer for the Meridian-Nampa Joint Patrol Academy in January 2024. Officer Horvath also serves as a member of the department’s Recruiting Team.
Training Officer
Tavi Messenger
Officer Messenger joined the Meridian Police Department in 2016 with 2 years of prior law enforcement experience with the Twin Falls Police Department. Officer Messenger worked as a Patrol Officer and was later selected to be a Field Training Officer and Meridian Police Department Instructor. He has a passion and aptitude for raising up the next generation of officers which made for a seamless transition to the Meridian-Nampa Joint Patrol Academy as a Training Officer in September of 2021. Officer Messenger also serves on the Recruiting Team searching for quality individuals with a desire to serve in the Meridian community.