ENID, OK - A group of Northern Oklahoma College Criminal Justice students recently got a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to work in law enforcement.
Members of the NOC Criminal Justice Society visited the Enid Police Department on Sept. 26, where they toured the department and training facilities, talked with local officers and learned more about the responsibilities and challenges that come with a career in policing.
NOC Criminal Justice Director Troy Cochran said the visit gave students a chance to take what they’ve been learning in the classroom and see how it applies in the real world.
One of the highlights of the visit was getting to try the Enid Police Department’s use-of-force decision-making simulator.
Students were placed in realistic scenarios that developed quickly and required them to assess what was happening, communicate, make decisions and determine the appropriate response.
Cochran said the exercise helped show students just how complicated police decision-making can be and how quickly a situation can change.
The students also had a chance to visit with Enid Police Lt. Justin Hodges and Public Information Officer Cass Rains, who answered questions and shared their experiences working in law enforcement.
Cochran thanked Hodges and Rains for spending time with the students and giving them an open look at the profession.
Students taking part in the visit included Aubreonna Dority, Enid; Ted Fusselman, Ponca City; Angelina Rodrigues, Enid; Eve Veliz, Enid; Taryn Ellis, Enid; Bridget Cole, Oklahoma City; Penelope Baugus, Enid; Grace Smith, Stillwater; Chassidy Morales, Morrison; Alexa Montes, Hennessey; AJ Harmon, Blackwell; and Hayden Grell, Tonkawa.
Northern Oklahoma College offers its Criminal Justice program at both the Enid and Tonkawa campuses.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through its Tonkawa campus, Enid campus and the NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater.
Learn more about Northern Oklahoma College at noc.edu.
(Photo provided by Northern Oklahoma College)
