MUSCATINE, Iowa – A pilot Muscatine Police Department program graduated its first class of students Thursday (June 27) at Muscatine Community College as 10 students completed a three-day study of life in law enforcement.
“We focused on junior and senior students who had an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement,” Lieutenant Jeff Jirak said. “We ended up with some freshman and sophomores enrolled but they all showed a high interest in what life as a member of the law enforcement community would be like.”
The students received instruction from Muscatine Community College staff and officers from the Muscatine Police Department. Patrol and police equipment, the hiring process, and crime scene investigation were covered on the opening day of the course. The second day featured instruction and demonstration on K-9 operations along with bike patrol and traffic enforcement, and drug and narcotics investigations.
The final day began with a discussion of Muscatine Special Operations Response Team (MSORT) operations with class wrapping up with a discussion on P.T. Testing. Graduation exercises concluded the course work on Thursday.
“I think we were able to connect with these participating young people,” Lt. Jirak said. “They have an interest in our chosen profession and we were able to shed some light on what our lives are like while answering questions regarding law enforcement.”
Connecting with young persons like the 10 that attended the first Junior Police Academy is a great opportunity to build interest in staying in the community according to Lt. Jirak.
“When they grow up they could be a future recruit for the Muscatine Police Department,” Lt. Jirak said.
Lt. Jirak thanked the officers and Muscatine Community College for their assistance in putting on this academy.
“We plan on doing more in years to come,” Lt. Jirak added.
(Photo courtesy of Muscatine Journal)
NOTE: Read Muscatine Journal reporter Meredith Roemerman’s story about the program, “A career of calling”, in Saturday’s edition of the Muscatine Journal.