By Stephanie Richards
Amy Nielsen aspired to become a police officer ever since she was a young child, to fight against evil and protect the innocent.
Now Nielsen is one of three women learning and training in Utah Police Corps” rigorous program. She said it pushed her to finish her college education and is preparing her for the future.
“The Police Corps has taught me values to live by,” Nielsen said. “It focuses on team building, positive attitude, and commitment, all qualities you need in the work situation.”
The Utah Police Corps is an intensive training program that offers federal scholarships to college students who agree to work in the police department for four years.
Participating students receive a yearly scholarship of $7,500 to finish their college education and then participate in a 20-week program of intense 24 hour-a-day training.
Also, students participating in the program who have already finished their education can be reimbursed up to $30,000, Betterton said.
“They get their college education paid for and we have another excellent pool of candidates to choose from who want to come out well trained and well educated,” said Chief Gregory Cooper of the Provo Police department.
Provo currently has three employees from the Utah Police Corps and anticipates hiring three more after their graduation in December.
“People that come into the Police Corp will be the future leadership of America”s policing,” said Ken Betterton, commander of the Utah Police Corps.
Students participating in the program learn the skills they will need as police officers by using them in situations similar to what they will find out in the field, Betterton said.
“They learn by doing instead of listening to talking heads,” Betterson said.
However, joining the Police Corps is not for the faint in heart, said Officer Robert Bohls of the Provo Police department.
“It is extensive training and it is very rigorous,” Nielsen said. “You get extra training working 24 hours a day.”
The Police Corp implements the most rigid selection process in the nation, Betterton said. Only one in 45 students make it through the complete process.
“We are looking for people who are driven, self starters- who have shown the ability and drive it takes to succeed,” Betterton said.
The application process alone includes a criminal history check, a polygraph, a psychological test, a physical fitness test, a written exam and essay and an interview, Betterton said.
