MOUNT VERNON — Brian Kelley spent 23 years serving on the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Two years after retiring, he found a new way to serve: preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals.
Kelley now teaches the Criminal Justice program at the Knox County Career Center. The first-year program gives students an early look at careers in public safety and the responsibilities that come with them.
For KCCC Student Services Principal Derek Fisher, the goal reaches beyond preparing students for a job.
“One of the reasons that we wanted to start this program is to give (students) a start, let them know what the career is like, but also make sure that they’re thinking at a young age about how to communicate, how to de-escalate, how to support the community,” Fisher said.
Preparing for the job
KCCC discussed starting a criminal justice program for at least five years before moving forward last year. Nine students are enrolled, with room for as many as 22 in the years to come.
“Society and its challenges continue to become more complicated,” Kelley said. “If the school was willing to get these kids started early, I thought it would be a good opportunity to focus on officer and community safety.”
Kelley said the program emphasizes communication, decision-making and understanding people’s rights. Students learn about their rights as citizens and the authority and responsibilities that come with being an officer.
“I think the sooner (students) build the habit of thinking before reacting, the better,” Kelley said.
The curriculum is based on the Ohio Department of Education’s outline, but Kelley bolsters that instruction with stories of his own experiences.
“I like to tell stories. I use them to capture students’ attention and give them lessons they can think about,” Kelley said. “That’s how I’ve learned, too.
“I listen to other people talk about their experiences. Those experiences help me understand what works and what doesn’t.”
The program introduces students to several possible career paths. Those include corrections and administrative positions with a sheriff’s office, local courts, clerk’s office and adult probation.
Students can also explore opportunities in private security, military service, TSA and other federal agencies. Though many law enforcement positions require applicants to be at least 21, Kelley said there are many available options for students before reaching that age.
A typical day
The school day begins at 8 a.m. with “colors.” Students stand at attention and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements.
Afterward, Kelley checks in with the class before introducing the day’s lesson. Students typically spend 45 minutes to an hour learning in the classroom before putting those lessons into practice.
Depending on the topic, that can mean heading outside to practice vehicle procedures or moving into the gym for physical exercises.
The combination gives students a chance to connect classroom discussions with the situations they may encounter in the field.
Learning through experience
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office donated an old police cruiser to the program earlier in the year.
“Our school has a very strong partnership with our local first responders,” Fisher said. “Safety is one of our biggest concerns at our school.”
The donated cruiser gives students a practical tool for learning procedures they may encounter in the field. It has a light bar, siren and public address system.
“There are tools and techniques involved … and officer safety is a major concern,” Kelley said.
Students will practice positioning a patrol vehicle, blocking lanes, approaching other vehicles and setting up crash-scene tape. They also learn to conduct conversations away from traffic.
“It’s important to practice in a controlled environment. Once they become officers, they’ll be doing these things in real situations,” Kelley said. “When you’re standing on the side of the road, there’s a lot to think about.
“You have to be familiar with your surroundings and what’s happening around you.”
Fisher said the school hopes to see the program grow as more students explore careers in law enforcement.
“One of our biggest goals is to make sure students who enter law enforcement become great officers in how they work with people,” Fisher said. “We think Brian is the right person to train them.”
For Kelley, the work carries significance beyond teaching students how to perform a job.
“When somebody’s affected by crime or violence, it’s a heartbreaking, lifechanging thing,” Kelley said. “If you can do a little bit to help with that, it really makes a huge difference to people’s lives.”
Students interested in the program can learn more and apply at KCCC’s Open House & First Chance Application Night on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4:30-6:30 pm. Online applications are available to fill out until midnight.
