Thursday, July 1, 2010

Citizen Police Academy Graduate Inspired To Become Police Officer

Chris Winder had heard about the problems with residential breaking and enterings in his neighborhood.  His Neighborhood Watch Program had kept him informed through his "iNeighbor's" emails but he wanted to do more.  Then he heard about the Leland Police Department's Citizen Police Academy that was starting up soon.  He decided that maybe, through this program, he could learn more about what he could do to help out in his community, as well as what the police did.  And he figured, one night a week was not much time to contribute to this program.

He applied and was accepted into the class but did not realize at that time how "eye-opening" the experience would be.  "I was in corporate retail operations for 10 years, supervising 5 store managers and making good money but I wasn't happy.  I didn't enjoy going to work and the stress wasn't made up by the pay, so I quit.  I really didn't know what I wanted to do.  I knew I did want to become more involved in helping out in my community and that led me to the Citizen Police Academy."  Chris added, "what impressed me was the officers that came in to teach the classes - classes in narcotics, traffic, and investigations.  I also was struck by how much they seemed to enjoy their job even though they had so much to know and do."  That is when Chris realized that he might want to be a police officer.  He entered the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program at Brunswick Community College this spring, the first step in police certification in North Carolina.  

Since the classes are at night, Chris decided to volunteer with the Leland Police Department during the day, helping with general tasks like fleet maintenance or anything else they might need a hand in doing.  He also takes time to study his material for BLET, asking officers and staff questions that come up in his classes.  "I'm thoroughly enjoying myself - and know this is the right choice for me.  Police work is tough, demanding, and stressful and things don't always go they way you might want them to but, at the end of the day, I know they enjoy doing what they do.  I saw it with the instructor's; I hear it when the officers talk about calls they go on.  They genuinely enjoy being police officers.  Wanting to come to work each day and enjoying your job - that's what everybody wants."