Columbia City High School’s Criminal Justice Pathway through its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program has taken a significant step forward in preparing students for careers in law enforcement. This month, the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board approved the school’s request to become a satellite training location authorized to offer the 40-hour certified Jail Officer Training Course for students enrolled in the criminal justice program.
This new opportunity adds to an already robust program that currently offers Emergency Telecommunicator Certification (ETC) for dispatch careers, giving students yet another direct avenue into public safety fields after graduation.
“Criminal justice careers are more difficult to pursue directly from high school because the police academy has an age requirement of 21 to enter. Therefore, we need to provide opportunities for students between 18 and 21 to keep them engaged in this career field. While we currently offer Emergency Telecommunicator Certification for dispatch, the Jail Officer Certification program will give another avenue for students to pursue directly out of high school. This addition further enhances the depth of our criminal justice program,” said Jennifer Reiff, WCCS Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director.
The certification course will be led by Stacy Sexton, Criminal Justice Instructor at Columbia City High School. Sexton brings both classroom and field experience, having previously taught the course and retired from a career in law enforcement.
“Adding the Jail Officer Certification to our program gives students something valuable to place on their resume. It allows them to move straight into employment after high school, with hands-on application and training that can save local jurisdictions both time and money in onboarding certified staff,” Sexton said.
Kyle Hoag, Columbia City High School Service Academy senior and a four-year criminal justice student, has already earned certifications and looks forward to pursuing the new opportunity.
“This provides more to my plate and gives me more opportunities. It’s good knowledge to have as we enter the workforce. We are going to need it anyway and it gives me an advantage over other applicants,” Hoag said.
Kyle, who has always aspired to work in law enforcement, hopes to one day become a state police officer. This certification gives him, and many students like him, an early advantage in reaching that goal. The certification will be offered to the Fundamentals of Law Enforcement students as well as the pathway’s senior students.
For more information about Columbia City High School’s Criminal Justice Pathway and Career and Technical Education offerings, visit wccsonline.com.
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About WCCS Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Whitley County Consolidated Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) is committed to providing innovative, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for successful careers and lifelong professional development. Our comprehensive CTE programs bridge academic knowledge with practical skills, offering students pathways to explore, learn, and excel in diverse technical and professional fields.
Our 24 pathways offer a dynamic curriculum designed to meet the evolving demands of today's workforce. Through expert instruction and industry-aligned coursework, we empower students to develop critical technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and professional competencies that will set them apart in their future careers.
We are dedicated to creating clear pathways that connect education with career success, helping students transform their potential into professional achievement.
For more information about our CTE programs, course offerings, and opportunities, visit wccsonline.com/o/cchs/page/career-and-technical-education.
About Whitley County Consolidated Schools
Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that empowers all students to achieve their full potential. Serving Columbia City and surrounding communities, WCCS believes in fostering a learning environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and character development. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, our district offers a diverse curriculum, dedicated educators, and state-of-the-art facilities designed to inspire and engage every learner. Through partnerships with families and the community, WCCS strives to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. For more information about our schools, programs, and initiatives, visit us athttps://www.wccsonline.com.
Media Contact
Dr. Laura McDermott, WCCS Superintendent mcdermottla@wccsonline.com
Jennifer Reiff, WCCS CTE Director reiffjl@wccsonline.com