Criminal justice majors at Grand Valley State University had the opportunity to gain real world insight on the field of police-work when the director of GVSU’s Police Academy, Julie Yunker, spoke at an event hosted by the Criminal Justice Student’s Association last night at 7 p.m.

Yunker discussed the application process and the day-to-day activities someone in the academy would be required to accomplish. She was also available to answer additional questions.

“I think that the study of criminal justice has always been an interesting and well-attended course of study as it allows for many different career paths within government and the private sector,” she said. “Law enforcement is misunderstood by many people. As in any career, there are ‘bad officers.’ However, the majority of police officers care about people and truly strive to serve those in the community.”

Yunker said her goal was to provide a fun and memorable presentation with a true perspective on whether a law enforcement career is the best choice for those who attended.

“I am a ‘whistle while you work’ kind of person, so I try to keep all of my presentations memorable for those who attend,” she said.

Randall McMurray, criminal justice major and e-board member of the Criminal Justice Students’ Association, said the presentation was a good way for people to see what it takes to get into the academy and eventually go on into law enforcement.

“There are many opinions of what it takes to be in law enforcement, but in my opinion, it takes an understanding that the job is about service,” McMurray said.

Sophomore and criminal justice major, Kyle Baker, said it is essential for those going into law enforcement to have sufficient education and training regarding the heavy duties the job requires.

“Law enforcement officers need to be able to cope with a variety of problems and be able and ready to apply discretion regarding these problems,” he said. “Having integrity, a professional character, being honest and the ability to serve and protect are only a handful of qualities and expectations.”

Capt. Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of the Department of Public Safety at GVSU, said about 75 students work out of the GVSU police office as traffic directors, dispatchers, enforcers of parking rules and regulations, building security and safe walk, which allows for students to have a police escort when walking to and from places on campus at night.

Yunker said most students come through the GVSU School of Criminal Justice program and spend their last semester at the academy to earn the final credits for their degree and become eligible for certification through Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). One of the many MCOLES requirements for a person to become a Michigan law enforcement officer is to attend a police academy such as the one at GVSU.

“One thing about the GVSU academy, when speaking with law enforcement administrators, it is found that those who graduate from this academy often become leaders in law enforcement, not only in west Michigan, but also around the state,” DeHaan said.

For more information about the GVSU police academy, visit www.gvsu.edu/cj/policeacademy/.

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