Collegiate Times

Students investigate a mock crime scene in a Slusher kitchen, as part of the four-week program with the Virginia Tech Police Academy

When looking for a way to develop a closer connection between students and the police force, Officer Geof Allen designed a program to give students the ability to get a closer look into the world of law enforcement; and through this, the Virginia Tech Student's Police Academy was born.

"It was probably more curiosity than anything else," said officer Katie Biniek, a former student of the academy who went on to join the Tech police department. "I had thought about becoming a police officer, but I really wasn't sure before I did the academy."

The academy is a four-and-a-half-week-long course that has provided students with an in-depth look into the police department for four years. It allows students who either want to go into law enforcement to learn more about what the job entails, or who are just curious with the opportunity to explore the field.

"We thought we could have a good PR tool for students," Allen said.  "And have a free, fun class, as well, for the ones that were interested in law enforcement as a career."

Since the program has started, they have had three sociology students from Tech go through the program and be hired by the police department. The students graduated from the class, received an internship with the police department and they were hired once they graduated. One of those has gone on to join Tech's SWAT team.

When the department first created the program it only had the need for one class per year. Now, with a high demand to enter the class, they have added another in the spring. There are 35 students in a class who get to go through many of the things that real officers do on a daily basis.

The program starts out with the basics of self-defense training and then progresses to even more police-related activities. Students receive weapons training and go out and fire the same weapons that the police department uses.

They even have the opportunity to have one of the K-9 dogs bite them through a special training suit. The activities of the Police Academy show all of the hard work that goes into being a police officer on a daily basis.

"The academy gave me a great insight into police work and also provided me the opportunity to intern with the VTPD the following fall semester," Biniek said.

They also get to go through a crime scene investigation case where they examine a mock scene to figure out exactly what happened.

A kitchen in Slusher Tower is transformed into a murder scene, with former members of the class as victims.

They make the fake blood with dye to make room an authentic crime scene. The students have to follow different clues that are laid around the victim and try and figure out what really happened.

"They really make sure you know the difference between the real law enforcement and television," said sophomore Patrick Burt, who took the class his freshman year and continues to help with the program. "Although, law enforcement does have its perks, but with those perks they show you the hard work, time, and devotion that go into it."

Allen also said that most people have a sensationalized misconception of police officers thanks to television and movies, and that the class helps bring students back to reality.

The class allows Allen to teach students topics that police officers deal with, but in a more fun and enjoyable way. One of the largest things the academy provides is the ability for students to see that the police officers at Tech are not "out to get them," as many students believe.

"My favorite part was interacting with all of the different officers.  Most interactions people have with the police are when something bad has happened, but this gave us the opportunity to see the officers in a positive light and really understand how much they do," Biniek said.  "Everyone was very helpful and answered any questions we had; they all seemed just as excited to be there as the students were."

"Students can learn that we are actually nice people, we are not the same image of law enforcement that they have in their head," Allen said.