Students in Teresa McCook’s Principles of Law Enforcement class at South Georgia Technical College recently gained firsthand insight into careers in law enforcement through a special session with four state officers representing different agencies.
As part of their coursework, students are studying the four divisions of law enforcement — local/city, county, state, and federal — and the varying requirements and training for each. The visiting officers shared their experiences, demonstrated their vehicles and equipment, and answered questions prepared by the students.
Participating officers included Agent Paige Bollinger, a Special Agent and Crime Scene Specialist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; CVO 1 Dequille Hurley of Georgia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Region F; Game Warden First Class Tanner Rundle with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in Sumter County; and Trooper First Class II Danny Nguyen of the Georgia State Patrol, Post 10 in Americus.
Students will complete a writing assignment based on their interviews, focusing on the training and requirements for each career field.
McCook emphasized the importance of giving students face-to-face opportunities with real officers rather than relying on portrayals from television or social media. “So many of my students have never had the chance to interact with an officer, which in many ways is a good thing,” she said. “But if they’re trying to decide on a career in this field, they need to meet officers, ask questions, and see firsthand what the job entails. That one-on-one connection helps them gain a true understanding of what it takes to succeed in law enforcement.”
Students responded positively to the session, enjoying the chance to engage directly with officers and learn more about the diverse paths available within state law enforcement.
Criminal Justice is one of over 200 programs of study offered at South Georgia Technical College. To learn more or to apply, visit www.southgatech.edu. Enroll now for the fall C-term beginning October 14, and you can ern a full semester of credit in just eight weeks.