Even in the military, Joshua Jones couldn’t recall a training experience quite like what he experienced while working toward his National Park Service-Seasonal Law Enforcement Training (NPS-SLET) certification this past fall at Southwestern Community College’s Public Safety Training Center.
“In the military, they were more animated and angry,” said Jones, who lives in Illinois and works at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Mo. “The first thing I noticed at SCC is that the instructors are amazing. I never had trainers that talented. Every session we went into, they brought in legitimate experts in that particular field.”
Jones was among 21 recruits from across the United States who graduated from the program on Nov. 25 at SCC-PSTC. This was the 93rd class to complete training through Southwestern.
All graduates completed 727 hours of basic training. They passed a variety of tests ranging from physical, mental and emotional in order to graduate and are now eligible to work at National Parks Service locations anywhere within the continental United States, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Jones and every recruit of NPS-SLET No. 93 in the completion of the training session as they aspire to enter the noble profession of law enforcement," said Mitch Boudrot, SCC’s law enforcement training program director.
Pepper spray and taser experience typically rank among every recruit’s least-favorite training aspects. Conversely, Jones found the woodland tracking segment the most enjoyable.
“Mr. (Pat) Patten and the instructors were incredible,” Jones said. “I thought there was no way they’d be able to teach so much in such a short amount of time, and I know we only covered the basics, but I am truly confident in the training I received. I’ve learned what is realistic when it comes to woodland tracking.”
For more information about NPS/SLET or any of SCC’s public safety training programs, visitwww.southwesterncc.edu/pstc or call 306.7041.
