Cadets use IUPD program to get a jump start on careers

As one of only seven police academies in Indiana, the IUPD Police Academy trains current undergraduate students to become officers while they earn their college degree.  

“Our program is unique in that we recruit full-time students whose primary objective is to get their degree,” said IUPD Lt. Greg Butler, the police academy director. “As far as I know, no other college in the country trains students as officers.”

Juniors Brad Begeske and Amanda Stahl are among the 31 cadets currently in training. Both will enter the academy in May.

Begeske, a resident of Griffith, Ind., is majoring in criminal justice. Although many cadets major in criminal justice, there have been trainees with different majors such as biology and education, Butler said.

“When I came here my freshman year I decided I wanted to do it,” Begeske said.
He is taking 17 credits this semester, in addition to training.

“I have 17 work hours this week,” Begeske said. “That includes working from midnight to 8 a.m. at the business school on Friday.”

Begeske said he hopes to land a law enforcement job after he receives his degree.
“I did it for experience,” he said. “It is a giant step in the door.”

Stahl is also majoring in criminal justice.

“I decided to join IUPD after I took the class ‘Foundations of Crime Investigations’ my sophomore year,” Stahl said.

She applied during November of her sophomore year and is one of seven women cadets currently in training.

“It would be nice to have more women in training,” she said. “The girls bond more because the program is predominately male.”

Like most cadets, Amanda said she wishes to enter law enforcement after graduating from IU.

“I would like to work in homicide, special victims unit or possibly part of a hostage negotiation team,” she said.

Carl Salzmann, former Monroe County prosecutor, and Bloomington Police Chief Michael Diekhoff were also graduates from the IUPD Police Academy.

The academy also has former cadets working for the secret service based in Indianapolis.

“There isn’t a federal law enforcement agency in which we don’t have a graduate,” Butler said.

As cadets, both Begeske and Stahl work security shifts at the Student Recreational Sports Center, football and basketball games and all auditorium events.

However, they are not authorized to make arrests until they have entered the academy. All cadets are CPR/AED certified.

The academy lasts 12 weeks during the summer at IU. A morning run at 6 a.m. will start their days. In addition to physical fitness, the lessons at the academy will include criminal law and firearms training.

After their requirements are met, Begeske, Stahl and the rest of the former cadets will work part-time for the IUPD until they graduate from IU. This will fulfill their certification requirements.

“There is a good chance academy graduates will get hired by IUPD upon graduation,” Butler said.

He also said the department will give them a leg up in an otherwise competitive line of work.

“When these kids graduate IU, they will have a degree, experience and certification,” Butler said.

Although freshman may apply, most applicants become cadets when they are of sophomore or junior standing.

“There are many benefits in entering the academy,” Butler said. “One must have a certain level of discipline, as well as the motivation and skills that will help in any profession.”