Lake Region State College program looks to fill law enforcement jobs - Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS — For the 12th consecutive year, Lake Region State College will bring its Peace Officer Training Program to Grand Forks this summer.

John Maritato, a lieutenant with the LRSC Police Department and director of the Peace Officer Training Program, has been coming to Grand Forks for each of those academies. Maritato said the program boasts a nearly 100% employment rate for graduates, if those graduates are willing to relocate to another part of the state.

“My last three classes, every student that made it through the academy actually had a job lined up before they even graduated,” said Maritato, who works at the college's Devils Lake campus. “There is definitely a need in North Dakota.”

One of the reasons graduates of the academy can so readily get jobs is because many law enforcement officers in the state are nearing retirement age. On any given day, Maritato said, there are more than 30 open positions across the state.

The coronavirus pandemic may have dampened some enthusiasm for a career in law enforcement, Maritato said. Also, increased scrutiny of law enforcement officers, following high-profile incidents across the country, may be playing a part. For example, the death of George Floyd, who died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, set off protests around the nation and drew calls for police reform.

That increased scrutiny does not diminish the need for law enforcement, Maritato said, and his program is tasked with filling open positions across the state with qualified applicants.

“No matter what city you live in, we need police officers,” he said. “We're here to serve and protect and keep order, and we need to be able to supply good candidates for those jobs that are in North Dakota for law enforcement.”

The program takes the form of a police academy, with physical fitness training in the morning followed by classroom work. The program runs for 14 weeks, and is part of Lake Region’s associate degree in applied science in law enforcement. Enrollees can either do the full two-year course, or opt for just the academy.

Those who complete the latter become eligible to work in law enforcement positions, either in municipal forces or in sheriff’s offices, across the state. To work for the larger police agencies in cities — including Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, Mandan and Minot — candidates must complete 60 semester credits of coursework.

Students at Lake Region who want to pursue a career in law enforcement have different options. They can do the associate degree, which qualifies them to work for larger police departments in the state, or attend the academy, which is offered at various times throughout the year. Upon completion of the academy, they can then work toward the associate degree. Classes also are available online.

Students study a variety of topics, such as the laws of arrest, search and seizure, processing a crime scene, hazardous materials, the use of police equipment and firearms. Ethics are taught, too.

Maritato said training modules evolve in an effort to produce a more capable and more well-trained law enforcement officer.

Lake Region’s police academy in Grand Forks runs from May 17 to Aug. 18. Another academy will run at the same time in West Fargo. The last day to apply for the academy is May 6. More information, including program requirements and how to apply, can be found at lrsc.edu, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 701-662-1683.

source: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/lake-region-state-college-program-looks-to-fill-law-enforcement-jobs

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