Dallas Police Officer Looks To Education To Expand Career Options
Josh Cooper grew up in Alabama, went to college on a pre-engineering scholarship, but spent his first semester partying a little too much. He regrouped and changed his major to business management. Upon graduation from Samford University, Cooper went into the telecommunications industry and became a consultant. His consulting work had him traveling all over the country.
While he was secure in his management position, he saw many others lose their jobs in downsizing. Cooper looked at his life and decided he was tired of being on a plane every week not seeing his wife and children. Through a conversation with a friend, it was suggested that he should become a reserve officer or that he should do a ride-a-long to see if he would be interested in police work.
Cooper did a ride-a-long with the Birmingham Police Department and fell in love with it. He went through the extensive eight-month-long interview process and was hired by the Dallas Police Department.
He went through 36 weeks of academy training, one of the longest in the nation. He went into a 21-week field-training program with three different field-training officers (seven weeks each). "This is to make sure that officers get exposure to working different shifts, (days, evenings and nights). After 36 weeks of academy training and 21 weeks of field training, I was partnered with another patrol officer for four weeks prior to being on my own," said Cooper.
After four years in patrol, Cooper switched to the Neighborhood Policing Unit which provides community outreach crime prevention. This includes patrols, crime watch meetings and acting as the department liaison between the City council and the Police Department.
Cooper is considering returning to school to earn his master's to continue his education and seek out promotion opportunities.
"I want to earn an M.B.A.; but, I am considering a master's degree in criminal justice and security," said Cooper.
"In today's environment, it is hard to be a police officer. We are held to a higher standard every day, and utilizing new technology is required to apprehend today's criminals. Body cameras and microphones are part of that new technology. It is important that officers have the resources to help keep citizens and property safe as well as keep officers accountable for their actions," said Cooper.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
