Academy exposes students to career opportunities
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers ALL TOGETHER- Frontier High School students William Campos, second from the left, and Amanda Ruiz, second from the right, graduated from the Community Law Enforcement Academy in December. The students received guidance from teachers Kim Dallape, left, Ruth Fenske, center, and Trina Leornas. The program, taught by police officers, gave the students a new perspective on the roll a police department plays in a community.

When Amanda Ruiz began attending Frontier High School last year, she was behind in credits and couldn't have cared less whether she graduated.

What a difference a year has made.

The 18-year-old, who once didn't care about earning a high school diploma, is looking forward to graduation in a couple of months and possibly a career in law enforcement.

She owes her newfound sense of direction to the teachers at Frontier who recommended she attend the Community Law Enforcement Academy in Oxnard. Ruiz was among 30 students who recently graduated from the academy.

"It made me respect police officers and their job a little bit more. . . . because of the hard work they have to do," Ruiz said.

The 12-week academy is taught by the Oxnard Police Department in partnership with the Oxnard Union High School District. The seven-year-old program is open to high school juniors and seniors who have at least a 2.0 grade point average and the recommendation of a school counselor. Students receive a letter grade and five credits for completing the academy.

They learn how city government and police departments function, with the intent of promoting a career in some area of law enforcement. Students learn about crime scene investigation, conflict resolution, the criminal justice system and specialized police teams such as SWAT and gang and graffiti suppression units.

Field trips include visits to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

"They develop a good sense of responsibility to the community," said Mary Hopple, program coordinator for the Oxnard Union High School District. "I think they see the community in a different light."

The students are encouraged to be good citizens and get involved in community activities, Hopple said.

"Some of the kids really come out of their shell during the class," said Ron Whitney, one of the Oxnard police officers who teach the class.

Guest speakers are brought in to motivate the students. Whitney said one deputy district attorney told the students about the trouble he got into as a teenager and the importance of staying in high school and possibly going to college.

Whitney said academy graduates become emissaries of the community and police to their peers.

Like Ruiz, 18yearold William Campos credits Frontier teachers with encouraging him to attend the academy. He came to the school with little motivation to succeed, let alone career plans. Campos graduated from Frontier last week and plans to enroll in college as soon as possible.

"The academy pretty much inspired me to . . . be a firefighter," Campos said.