Lincoln University Graduates its First Class of Law Enforcement Training Academy Cadets
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Posted By: Kennedy Williams on July 09, 2021 The Lincoln University Law Enforcement Training Academy (LULETA) recently graduated its first class of cadets. The nine cadets completed more than 650 hours of coursework necessary to become police officers in the state of Missouri. The LULETA enrolled its first class in January 2021 after receiving a probationary one-year license approval from the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission and the Department of Public Safety in December 2020. The program is the first police academy on an HBCU campus, which administrators call a necessity in the current climate. "We need more diversity in our training academies, which will lead to more diversity in law enforcement nationwide," says Chief Gary Hill, Vice President of Campus Culture and Chief of Police. Hill says reflecting on the lack of diversity in his own training two decades ago prompted him to establish the program now. "When I went through the academy, there was just one other person who looked like me out of 26 recruits. It's much easier to deescalate a situation or even to simply gain a person's trust if there is someone with whom they believe they can relate. Human nature is to find comfort in sameness and when law enforcement has to be involved, even the best white male officer might not be the right person to turn the situation around." This first academy class includes two Black females, four Black males and three white males. Hill adds that while the deaths of George Floyd and others that have made headlines can be used as examples of inappropriate behavior by law enforcement officers, it is up to academies like LULETA to prepare officers to make good decisions in bad situations. "We train our cadets to consider the whole situation to help them make a better decision in that moment. That man or woman who is being belligerent with you might be having a bad day for a dozen other reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with our presence. This is why we conduct hours of practical training on de-escalation. Considering all factors that could be stressors are helpful in restoring peace," Hill says. Hill adds he has been in contact with HBCU Law Enforcement Executives and Administrators (LEEA) to explore possibilities of expanding the program to other campuses. The Lincoln University Law Enforcement Training Academy sessions begin in January and August. The maximum number of students per cohort is 24. Hill says there are currently approximately 15 students have submitted applications for the next session and students are already looking toward the January 2021 session. To enroll or for more information, visit https://www.lincolnu.edu/web/police-depart... SOURCE: Lincoln University If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
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