PARSIPPANY — A 10-week course for college students interested in developing a career in law enforcement will be offered at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. starting February 23.
The course is a cooperative venture of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the county’s Department of Law and Public Safety and the New Jersey Community Affairs Officers Association in partnership with colleges, universities and law enforcement groups throughout New Jersey.
Participants will be introduced to the work of law enforcement to broaden their perspectives and understanding of the criminal justice system and to better understand what it takes to enter the field of law enforcement, said Morris County Freeholder Director Kathryn DeFillippo.
“The image of a law enforcement officer, for many, is formed by what they see on television or in the movies,” DeFillippo said. “The students who take this career development course will soon learn their perception of what it’s like to be a law enforcement officer is not reality.”
The Law Enforcement Career Development Course is a highly competitive program that was created in 2010, and it is the first of its kind in New Jersey. The course is recommended for college students interested in criminal justice, social sciences, and justice studies, as well as those students who are undecided but have an interest in pursuing careers in the field of legal justice.
Students will get a closer look at law enforcement by being exposed to practical scenarios and hands-on instruction.
“The hands-on instruction given to the students is the critical component of this course,” said Freeholder Doug Cabana, the freeholder board’s liaison to Law and Public Safety. “It provides the students with exposure to the real world of law enforcement to help them determine if this career field is right for them.”
The Law Enforcement Career Development Course will cover topics ranging from domestic violence, mock crime scenes and defensive tactics to dressing for success, health and wellness and preparing for the written and psychological exams.
A course description and application form, which must be completed and returned by Feb. 13, are available online by clicking here.
Additional information can be obtained by calling Chief William Schievella (Ret.), course director and president of the NJ Police Community Affairs Officers Association, at (973) 829-8600 or by e-mailing him at wschievella@co.morris.nj.us.
The Morris County Public Safety Training Academy is located at 500 West Hanover Ave. in Parsippany.
