Officer Madison Wethington is the first female officer to graduate from the Maryville Traffic Motor Unit training program.
First in Maryville, Blount County to complete certification
City of Maryville Police Officer Madison Wethington achieved a first for the city of Maryville on Friday, October 2, 2020. She became the first female officer to graduate from the City’s Motor Unit training program and is officially the newest of the eight-person traffic motor team.
The motorcycle training program is an intensive two-week program taught by instructors certified by the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM). Certification requires completion of a rigorous training course which tests the ability to properly and safely operate a police motorcycle and demonstrate a basic mastery of those applicable skills.
Officer Wethington explained, “Being on the motor team has been a goal of mine since day one of the Police Academy. I wanted to prove that I could do everything my motorcycle colleagues could do,” she said. “I wanted to be part of that team.”
According to Wethington, “The hardest part for me was mental. It was knowing the motorcycle will do what it is designed to do if you just trust your ability and have the confidence to do it.”
Police Chief Tony Crisp emphasized, “This is a very intense and difficult process and tests the ability to function in high stress situations. Very few are cut out to be certified as a motor officer.” Chief Crisp said, “With her level-headed demeanor, abilities, determination and work ethic, Officer Wethington happens to be the first female to do so in the history of our department.”
Crisp said, “Wethington showed us she had what it takes and that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. She had a goal and she worked very hard to achieve it. I’m extremely proud of her and know she will be an example to other young women who want to grow up and follow in her footsteps.”
Wethington said of the Chief’s comment, “That really makes me proud, to think I could inspire a little girl to believe she can do anything – to live her dreams.”
Officer Wethington has been with the department since January 22, 2019 as a reserve officer and was hired full time on June 23, 2019.
The motorcycle training program is an intensive two-week program taught by instructors certified by the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM). Certification requires completion of a rigorous training course which tests the ability to properly and safely operate a police motorcycle and demonstrate a basic mastery of those applicable skills.
Officer Wethington explained, “Being on the motor team has been a goal of mine since day one of the Police Academy. I wanted to prove that I could do everything my motorcycle colleagues could do,” she said. “I wanted to be part of that team.”
According to Wethington, “The hardest part for me was mental. It was knowing the motorcycle will do what it is designed to do if you just trust your ability and have the confidence to do it.”
Police Chief Tony Crisp emphasized, “This is a very intense and difficult process and tests the ability to function in high stress situations. Very few are cut out to be certified as a motor officer.” Chief Crisp said, “With her level-headed demeanor, abilities, determination and work ethic, Officer Wethington happens to be the first female to do so in the history of our department.”
Crisp said, “Wethington showed us she had what it takes and that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. She had a goal and she worked very hard to achieve it. I’m extremely proud of her and know she will be an example to other young women who want to grow up and follow in her footsteps.”
Wethington said of the Chief’s comment, “That really makes me proud, to think I could inspire a little girl to believe she can do anything – to live her dreams.”
Officer Wethington has been with the department since January 22, 2019 as a reserve officer and was hired full time on June 23, 2019.
RSS Feed
