Feb. 28, 2024 3:20p
From Gateway Technical College:
Those interested in becoming a police officer, but who may not have the time or money to attend a full-time law enforcement academy, will benefit from a new program being offered by Gateway Technical College.
The Wisconsin Technical College System selected Gateway as the recipient of a grant that will pay the tuition of 15 students in the college’s upcoming part-time law enforcement academy program.
Application deadline for the academy is March 1, and those interested should attend a Feb. 29 application workshop and physical fitness test. Those interested in the Feb. 29 event must pre-register at www.gtc.edu/lea-workshop.
Amy Koeppel, Gateway director of law enforcement training, said the part-time academy format benefits those who would like to become an officer but have family and job duties that may keep them from enrolling in the full-time academy.
“For those who have responsibilities – work, caring for children or parents – a full-time academy might not be an option,” said Koeppel. “Those adult responsibilities prohibit them from going full time to the academy for five months.
“This part-time option will allow them to keep their current career and provides the flexibility for them to train at the academy at night and on the weekend.”
Academy instructor Justin Miller says feedback provided by students in recent part-time academies prompted a format change to include training four days a week plus every other Saturday. He said the academy will offer the same training as the full-time academy and candidates must meet the same requirements to be accepted.
Because of the grant, this academy may interest more self-sponsored students or those who yet to be hired by a law enforcement agency. Many times, academy recruits have been hired and are sent by their agency to the academy for training.
“This grant provides even more opportunities for those who want to pursue a law enforcement career,” said Miller. “As far as I know, this is the first time this has been offered. It gives them a fast track to a career.
“Local agencies will benefit from this too, as they are getting candidates who are ready to go. Hiring a candidate who’s already completed the academy allows them to get in the field quicker.”
To be accepted into the academy, a student must have completed an associate degree or earned 40 post-secondary credits. However, this academy allows for dual enrollment or for students to finish the 40 credits while in the academy.
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