A Career As A Law Enforcement Officer
My plans are to attend college and become a law enforcement officer. I am enrolled at Culver-Stockton College to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in Criminal Justice. On completion of my bachelor’s degree, I will attend the Police Academy training program. In October of 2016, I job shadowed with a Cottleville police officer, Sergeant Jon Araujo, who gave me valuable insight into the job and encouraged me to pursue a degree in criminal justice as well as business which will help me further my career in law enforcement as well as broaden my knowledge of the community that I will serve.
My interest in law enforcement began the summer after fifth grade when I attended D.A.R.E. camp. The camp’s mission is to provide
education about substance abuse, promote and provide drug free events for all kids in Lincoln County. The camp activities allowed the campers to interact with local first responders learning about their job thru real life scenarios. For instance, a demonstration of the K-9 unit and how they help law enforcement with searches and communication through commands the officer has with the police dog. The demonstrations of the local first responder impressed me by their confidence and how decisive they were in taking action. This year I am a member of the 2017 D.A.R.T team (formerly D.A.R.E.). The team consists of students from all four Lincoln County school district working with the local police and sheriff’s department to organize the camp. Members will serve as camp counselors and will be responsible for providing leadership and direct supervision of campers in the planned activities. This camp is important to me because the activities allow today’s young campers to learn about first responder’s jobs in a positive environment. As well as helping them to understand their own role in emergency situations, what to expect, and the best way to react. I have continued my interest in law enforcement by joining the Troy Police Department Explorer Program in 2015. The Explorer Program provides classroom training on the duties of police work such as traffic stop procedures, firearm safety, accident scene reporting, building searches, and conflict resolution. Explorers also get field experience when assisting the department with security measures and crowd control at community events such as parades, 5k races, and ride alongs with an on duty officer. This program has given me a personal understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the job. I have seen the dedication of the officers and witnessed the personally rewarding aspects of police work.
I believe the positive interaction of youth with law enforcement and other first responders is essential to building a stronger and safer community. As an officer, my presence in the community will give me unique opportunities to not only save lives, but to help people make better choices and show them a better way.
My interest in law enforcement began the summer after fifth grade when I attended D.A.R.E. camp. The camp’s mission is to provide
education about substance abuse, promote and provide drug free events for all kids in Lincoln County. The camp activities allowed the campers to interact with local first responders learning about their job thru real life scenarios. For instance, a demonstration of the K-9 unit and how they help law enforcement with searches and communication through commands the officer has with the police dog. The demonstrations of the local first responder impressed me by their confidence and how decisive they were in taking action. This year I am a member of the 2017 D.A.R.T team (formerly D.A.R.E.). The team consists of students from all four Lincoln County school district working with the local police and sheriff’s department to organize the camp. Members will serve as camp counselors and will be responsible for providing leadership and direct supervision of campers in the planned activities. This camp is important to me because the activities allow today’s young campers to learn about first responder’s jobs in a positive environment. As well as helping them to understand their own role in emergency situations, what to expect, and the best way to react. I have continued my interest in law enforcement by joining the Troy Police Department Explorer Program in 2015. The Explorer Program provides classroom training on the duties of police work such as traffic stop procedures, firearm safety, accident scene reporting, building searches, and conflict resolution. Explorers also get field experience when assisting the department with security measures and crowd control at community events such as parades, 5k races, and ride alongs with an on duty officer. This program has given me a personal understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the job. I have seen the dedication of the officers and witnessed the personally rewarding aspects of police work.
I believe the positive interaction of youth with law enforcement and other first responders is essential to building a stronger and safer community. As an officer, my presence in the community will give me unique opportunities to not only save lives, but to help people make better choices and show them a better way.