The Program
Frank Zera, a CLC Criminal Justice instructor, introduces the program and the career possibilities. “Law enforcement is the type of career that needs young people who are willing to learn about society, learn about citizens and learn about the legal system. The program itself will allow our students the option to become law enforcement professionals in the enforcement side, the jail or the corrections side, and it allows them openings to work in other area, possibly court counseling, possibly the probation department.”
The Faculty
“One of the strong points about our program is that we have a very good faculty. Many of the faculty who teach in the criminal justice department are adjunct working professionals and the experience that we can impart to the students is valuable,” says Professor Zera.
Tammi Westcott, a criminal justice student, gives a very positive review of the faculty by saying, “The instructors work with you if you have trouble keeping up or if you have questions. It’s definitely a great place to get back in; you’re never too old.”
“You feel so comfortable in raising your hand and asking questions. If you feel you need help with anything, you can always go to him and ask him,” (Professor Zera) says Hallee Cohen, a criminal justice student.
The students
Zera comments on his students and gives examples of what they do in and out of the classroom. “There’s no other more exciting place for me to be in than the classroom, to be working with these young people and helping them get to where they want to be going. One thing that is great about our program is that we have great students. We’ll take students to local police departments and they’ll go through the maneuvers of finger printing, photographing and handcuffing.”
Hallee Cohen adds, “Even for people who are not especially in this program, I think anyone should take courses in criminal justice. It gives you a really great aspect of everything that goes on in the world and gives you a better respect for police departments and officers and what they do.”
A Good Foundation
Tammi Westcott discusses her future options by saying, “Somewhere down the line, if I want to go for a four-year degree I can take my associate’s degree and can move on with that.”
Professor Zera concludes the video by talking about the transition to four year schools. “We’re finding our students do well when they get to the four-year schools. Most four year institutions in Illinois are willing to take our criminal justice students and assimilate them into their own four-year criminal justice programs. It’s a well situated program, from both the academic end of it and the practical application for when they go to work.”
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