STUDENT SERVES TIME WITH TROOPERS FOR COLLEGE CREDIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 1996

Fairbanks, Alaska - Stewart Lewis is in Sitka this month to do some hard time with the Alaska State Troopers - but he'll earn college credit for his efforts and boost his chance of getting a job in law enforcement.

Lewis, a senior in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Justice program, will join UAF justice graduates Kris Hovilla and Leon Morgan for a semester at the police academy as a part of the Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALETS) program. Lewis's career goal is to become an Alaska State Trooper. By going to the academy he hopes to be one step up in the application process after he graduates, he said.

"Some students get hired before they even finish the academy," Lewis said.

ALETS gives students 12 weeks of trooper training classes, covering everything from ballistics to criminal procedure. Current and future law enforcement professionals from around the state participate. The ALETS course enhances employment opportunities after graduation by providing students with practical skills and experience, according to UAF Justice Department Head Gary Copus.

Lewis, Morgan and Hovilla were accepted as ALETS candidates based on their academic performance and future potential in criminal justice. Morgan and Hovilla graduated in December with bachelor's degrees in justice and will supplement their degree through the ALETS training. Lewis will graduate this May.

The UAF justice department began teaming students with academy instructors three years ago. The high level of training students earn through ALETS has resulted in job offers from police departments in Anchorage, Fairbanks and several rural communities.

Six to eight justice majors are selected to attend the academy through ALETS every year. Students receive six upper-division college credits toward a bachelor's degree in justice after completing the program. By the time seniors apply for the program, they generally have some experience through internships or employment on campus as community service officers (CSO).

Not all students who complete the academy choose careers in law enforcement, however. ALETS graduates have gone on to careers in probationary systems, juvenile education and law as well.

Justice students can also gain practical experience through the Anchorage Police Department Academy program. Although not a part of the ALETS program, the UAF justice department has qualified several students for the Anchorage academy during the past few years. Whereas the trooper program trains participants for law enforcement throughout the state, the APD academy trains candidates specifically for Anchorage.

APD academy training has paid off for UAF justice students. Pearl Turney, a 1996 UAF justice graduate, was named class valedictorian for her academy class in January and is now employed as an officer with the Anchorage department.

CONTACT: UAF Justice Department Head Gary Copus, (907) 474-6501.

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