Currently the Military has a Reserve Officer Training Corps for college students. There is also a Junior reserve training corp where high school students, can wear a similar uniform, learn the customs, and style of discipline as the military. Instructors are usually retired officers. Students receive the basics on what military life is like, learn of this history of the military of the US. This also counts as a HS civics credit. Students are also exposed to a para-military style of a chain of command, and can attain rank, and gain leadership experience, and after 2 years of JROTC are eligibal to graduate a pay grade higher out of boot camp if they decide to inlist in the military. With the treat of terrorism, violence, and guns, in school, I propose that the Police form a similar organization. This would mean that deputized police, could have a presance in class, not just at the doors, or parking lot of a school. The program could be run also by retired high ranking police officers, or police chiefs. Students would learn more about the common laws of the land, learn their rights as citizens, and become more knowledgable about the justice, and criminal justice system. This program would also be good for any HS student interested in a career in public safety/ service (security, medical EMS, politics), law enforcement (police, military), or Law in general (lawyer, judge, etc). Students could learn first aid/ CPR, take field trips to prisons, and meet inmates, w/ the hopes that at risk teens won't have the same behavior. They would also know their rights, and gain more then street smarts, and have a better idea about how the justice system works, and when they can sue someone. With a partnership with the department of education, would require that only the best police officers become instructors. This would raise the bar for police conduct expectations. I've heard too many stories and rumors of police corruption, a program like this would inhibit elements like that, or at least ad another check & balance system. I've also worked with too many non-professional security officers, (presant company excluded) w/ little more than a couple hours of training to do their job. Again, a program like this would put HS graduates on the fast track to their intended career choice.
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Another thing I should ad. This would give police officers a chance to be more involved in the lives they protect. Students could graduate knowing what a citizen arrest is, and how to use it if ever. This requires top quality officers because, they would have to be more then hired guns that write tickets, but role models who can set a example. It could also be a requirement to attain a certain rank, say like police chief. It could also give officers another opportunity to serve and make a difference after retirement. Police to have a tough job, maybe they should look at additional ways to get things done and reduce crime, through education. Besides, what could be worth more then the future of the country? Criminals target this group, we as a society should be doing more to protect them. I've also seen people become police just to carry a gun legally/ get into a decent paying job that doesn't require a lot of education, and is boring most of the time, interupted by memorable moments. This could potentially reduce that too.
Somehow I keep forgetting to ad this comment. The US Marshals is one of the hardest law enforcement agencies to get into. They typically like x-military, and experienced law enforcement, and you have to take a exhaustive hiring process, and come highly recommended. Candidates, are often not eligible until After college. I once heard that the military, and Secret Service, prefer to recruit agents in the 18-33 range because after that age, are not combat ready. After 4-8 years of college, US Marshals and field agents would have a shorter window of 'combat readiness'. If there was a program like this, top 4 year graduates of this program, could apply after a associates degree, instead of a bachelors, and continue education while in. Candidates would already have the back round and track record, and establish a connection, w/ instructors, to get the most capable people on the career path where they could make a difference. A common complaint I've heard when I've talked to police, or someone about this is; there are not enough officers to teach this program. Municipalities, and other agencies are already stretched thin. Well, that is one of the very problems, this program is aimed at solving. It would not only to make more officers, but more well rounded officers, that spend less time being a rookie, and more time doing their job. It would also serve to better educate the public on civic living, and act as a career spring board for other professions.
This is an excellent idea. As a product of JROTC (Navy) I can honestly say that I have seen many lives changed by this positive experience. Applying this idea to public protectors is genius. A number of my JROTC classmates did go either into law enforcement or emergency medical care and would have probably taken advantage of an opportunity like this program.
In Houston, you have to be 21 to even start training to be a police officer. Also, ROTC programs are very expensive and local police budgets might not be able to handle them.
CopJROTC won't make students police officers out of high school, but it would prepare them for what they can expect like regular JROTC prepares kids for military life. This would also mean a real police presance in schools. Kids would be taught their rights, and responsibilities as citizens from a authoritative source. Graduates of this program could also demonstrate their commitment and apptitude for this line of work. If nothing else, it would improve the backround of students that become security guards. -Like I've said, I've worked w/ some under-trained people more often then I'd like to admit. If a graduate of a program like this does not become a police officer, they could still benefit from the training and style of discipline. (I say style of discipline because obviously no JROTC program is as strict as real military or para-military training) A program like this would have so many virtures, I have yet to get into all the ways it could help. I would think the benefits it would pay for the cost many times over.
I believe this is a good idea for the reason that law enforcement is becoming very expensive for local governments, (mainly because of pensions) and I believe that volunteer citizen police will be needed to hold costs down in the future. Therefore police training should be made available to all who are interested.