Surrounded by friends doling out congratulations, cake and more than a few good-natured cracks at his expense, it seemed to dawn on Hot Springs Chief of Police Tim Coleman that, for the first time in three months, life was returning to normal.

"I feel like Dorothy in Kansas," said Coleman, who completed the 12-week Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena Friday. "It's good to be home."

The 55-year-old, who has a decade of law enforcement experience under his belt, but was required to obtain academy certification within a year of working full-time as a police officer, was welcomed back to Hot Springs with a reception at the town's police station Friday afternoon.

He spent the last 12 weeks in Helena, commuting to Hot Springs on the weekends.

Jim Matthews, a Trout Creek resident and a deputy with the Sanders County Sheriff's Office, has been working as a reserve officer in Hot Springs during Coleman's absence.

Coleman said he was apprehensive entering the program, particularly given his age in comparison to his academy classmates.

Coleman, who assumed the Hot Springs chief of police position last September and was a corrections officer for a year at Deer Lodge, said he was a member of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy's largest class.

With the exception of one other classmate, the members of the 59-person group ranged in ages from 20 to 34, according to Coleman.

"I had concerns about my age," commented Coleman, adding that he had something to prove to himself and his younger peers.

In addition to classroom time, lectures and homework, Coleman said the police academy was physically demanding.

Coleman completed the Rock Hard Fitness Program, which included a daily exercise regimen beginning at 5 a.m., and also participated in academy events, such as a mountain hike and physical combat.

Coleman's class was also the first to take part in increased hands-on training, including "fight or flight" scenarios using paint guns.

Coleman said the academy also focused on new 2007 laws, and the trainees learned about radar, sobriety tests, weapons, defensive tactics and other elements of "basic law enforcement."

Coleman's law enforcement experience includes reserve deputying in Mineral County, relief officer work in Hot Springs and a year-long tenure at Deer Lodge as a corrections officer from 2005-06.

Coleman said his work at Deer Lodge means he is already "post certified" and will not have to work for a year to obtain certification.

"I really love this little town," commented Coleman during his reception.

"It's just like home."