There has always been a connection between the Scranton Police Department and the Police Academy, a few blocks away at Lackawanna College.
At a news conference at Scranton Police Headquarters on South Washington Avenue, Scranton Police Chief Tom Carroll says that connection is now even stronger. “Nearly all of our officers began at Lackawanna College Police Academy, which is significant. So, it’s especially meaningful to give back; it’s meaningful for us to play an active role in shaping the next generation of law enforcement.”
The department and the college call their new collaboration historic. Scranton Police will provide Lackawanna College cadets with training and access to the department’s technology.
“We have officers in our department who are instructors in the academy, we have officers that go over and instruct in forensics, but what this does is open up the exposure. We’re going to expose the students to more. This technology, they’ll be able to see it, they’ll be able to understand it before they get to where they’re going,” said Chief Carroll.
That exposure started immediately. Officers showed cadets around the technology they’ll use to protect crowds at the upcoming Scranton Half Marathon.
The partnership between the police department and the academy will officially begin in time for the fall semester. And it comes with benefits for the officers, too. Lackawanna College will provide four full scholarships a year to members of the department. And officers and their families can receive tuition discounts.
“Through this partnership, we’re not only developing more experienced and highly trained police officers to keep our neighborhoods safe, but also providing access to education and career advancement for more members of our community,” said Kevin Mahoney, Lackawanna College Police Academy Director.