LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Lubbock Police Department is working with other local departments to offer community members a chance to experience what it takes to serve in law enforcement through the Lubbock Law Enforcement Citizens Academy.
Corporal Jason Harville with the Lubbock Police Department said it is an honor to put on the badge.
“I am representing…I am representing something that’s more than I am,” Harville said. “I come into work not as an individual but as a team member that’s looking into bettering our community and our city.”
Learning the day to day of law enforcement
Harville said no two days on the job are ever the same, and every shift comes with the unknown.
“And during the day you don’t know what you’re getting into that day but it can be at either extreme or anywhere in the middle, so officers have a lot to deal with in the sense of being prepared for anything that might fall on either end or between that spectrum and it takes a lot of personal time and commitment to be prepared and respond to those calls when the time comes,” Harville said.
What it’s like behind the badge
Sergeant Steve Bergen said the Lubbock Law Enforcement Citizens Academy gives community members the chance to experience what it takes to serve in law enforcement firsthand.
“The citizens academy just humanizes the badge; they get to know all three agencies and the DA office, so they get a glimpse of what the courtroom is like, why we do certain things, why we enforce traffic and take measures to keep the public safe,” Bergen said.
Impact of Citizens Academy
Bergen said many people leave the academy with a new perspective and greater appreciation for the work and sacrifices law enforcement officers make every day.
“Sometimes there are conceived notions little bit when they start on what law enforcement does, and by the end of it I can tell you they are always appreciative of what we provide to the general public and the personal relationships,” Bergen said. “The last three years I have been a part of it, it has always been great of how we end, we have a great graduation ceremony, and it’s always positive and a great experience for them and for us.”
For more information and to apply to the academy, click here.
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