PARSIPPANY − The Fall Session of the Law Enforcement Development Course kicked off Monday, September 28 at the Morris County Public Safety Academy.
There are approximately 70 students from various colleges and universities around the area participating in this semesters program. Undersheriff William Schievella who organizes and runs the entire course started of the first session by introducing some law enforcement professionals who spoke to the group of the students.
The Law Enforcement Development Course is a 10-week course for college students interested in developing a career in law enforcement.
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.
“The image of a law enforcement officer, for many, is formed by what they see on television or in the movies,” Kathy 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.”
“This course was truly amazing, very informative and fun, and I got to meet some real professional law enforcement officers and build relationships with them and with the other students in the class as well, said Nicolas Limanov, one of the graduates. “I learned some neat tricks on how to stand out at an interview and what a perfect resume should look like. And best of all it was all for free because of the so many volunteers from various agencies who took the time out of their busy schedules to come and teach us. Special Thanks to William Schievella for all your hard work in putting together and running this program and the Morris County Freeholders as well for having this in the budget,” he said.
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 got 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 covered 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.
The Morris County Public Safety Training Academy is located at 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany.