Married couple first to go through State Police academy together

When Michael Beck – part of the Palmyra-Macedon 2005 State Champion Basketball Team – graduated, his goal was a degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College.

Ironically, it was basketball one fateful day that led him to shooting hoops at the St. John’s gym and brought him into contact with Olivia Young, an Owego High grad playing a pick-up game on the court. The conversation led to what would become a history-making event in State Police history.

Olivia, earning her degree in English, really did not want to pursue a career in teaching. Somehow, Mike, never saw his future in tallying numbers. So, why not law enforcement? Mike took a civil service test and ended up with a job with the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office. Olivia (whose father was a retired 30 year veteran State Trooper) was hired by Cayuga County as a 911 dispatcher.

After years on the job, both Mike and Olivia decided to take the State Police Academy test. Ranking high enough to be chosen for the Academy and making it through the tough State Police physiological and background checks, the couple – now married since July 18, 2015 – packed their bags for the next step to their careers.

Even though they would be the first married couple to go through the grueling seven-month school in the 99-year history of the State Police Academy, they were ready for the challenge.

The Academy, using strict military discipline and training, prevented most contact between the married duo, except for the occasional reinforcing glance, passing in hallways. “Many people wonder if it is difficult watching your spouse go through the training? I found it reassuring, being able to witness Olivia experience the best training in the State, and perhaps the country. The staff was amazing, utilizing scenario-based training in conjunction with proficiency training. The training over the past 7 months was very difficult, but there is no one I would rather have experienced it with”, recalled Michael.

“Having our first anniversary in the academy was definitely unique, and the staff made sure it was “extra special”. We were often referred to as “male Beck” and “female Beck” by the staff to distinguish between us. Many recruits simply called us Mr. or Mrs. Beck. Getting to go through this adventure with Olivia has created memories that we will never forget. We look forward to many years of helping people and serving the public.”

From Olivia’s perspective, being the first-ever married couple going through the Academy, made the experience “more tolerable, but still very difficult. It was nice knowing he (Mike) was going through the same experiences as me.” She admitted it was the eye contact they made passing in the hallways that brightened her days.

Upon graduation, Olivia began her field training out of North Syracuse/Elbridge, with her next assignment in Fulton. Mike began his field training in Fulton and will be assigned to the Hastings station. Both assignments place them in Troop D. The couple bought a home in Auburn, making travel time a 45-minute+ trip for both. They will probably be in the same platoons on different shifts, with hopefully some of the same days off for the near future.

Are they competitive with each other? Both scored high enough to be chosen in the original selection test, with Olivia scoring a touch higher, technically making her Mike’s senior on the force. Mike touts the fact that he earned the “top gun”, proficiency award in firearms at the Academy, scoring a 250 out of 250. Olivia said they still joke about her superior score on the test and look forward to advancement in the force. In that regard… “I’m not joking,” she added on the sly.

Editors Note: This story ran in the Times of Wayne County, and was offered for use in our weekly publication by Devin Holdraker.