ST. LOUIS, MO – People interested in a career in law enforcement are invited to participate in the free Pre-Academy Recruitment Program sponsored by the Ethical Society of Police (E.S.O.P.). The next session of the 10-week course begins on Tuesday, February 26, and continues through May 4. The program, which prepares attendees for the St. Louis Police Academy, is open to individuals of all races and genders, age 19 and older. Classes will be held at the Urban League, 3701 Grandel Square in St. Louis. Class size is limited. To register, call (314) 478-8140 or email at [email protected].
The Pre-Academy program will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Topics include Community Outreach and Engagement, Law Enforcement Ethics, Cultural Diversity, Constitutional Law, CPR, Public Speaking, Report Writing, Patrol and Officer Wellness. Courses will be taught by current and former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officers, including former graduates of the E.S.O.P. Pre-Academy Recruitment Program. Attendees will also participate in community service projects.
“The goal of the recruitment program is to provide potential officers a glimpse into the police academy and to give them the tools to connect with people from the community they will serve,” said Sgt. Clarence Hines, director of the E.S.O.P. Pre-Academy Recruitment Program.
The E.S.O.P. Pre-Academy Recruitment Program has been praised by the NAACP for its success in preparing diverse candidates for the police academy. Since 2015, 53 participants have been hired as police recruits in training and civilian law enforcement employees by local law enforcement agencies, including the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department and the City of St. Louis. A total of 18 participants graduated from the last session, which completed Fall 2018. So far, eight Fall session graduates have been hired or are in the process of being hired by local law enforcement departments.
Participation in the E.S.O.P. Police Pre-Academy Recruitment Program does not guarantee employment within the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. To become a police officer in Missouri, candidates must be at least 21 years old upon graduation from the Police Academy, a U.S. citizen with a high school diploma or GED, with minimal criminal record.
ABOUT E.S.O.P.
The Ethical Society of Police (E.S.O.P.) is an association of police officers, park rangers, and civilians that advocates for racial and gender equity in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) and St. Louis County Police Department. The E.S.O.P. was founded in 1972 to address racial biases within law enforcement. The E.S.O.P. also works to improve community/police relations, develop policies and programs to reduce crime, elevate the status of minority civilians and police officers, encourage greater minority employment by law enforcement agencies, and increase professionalism in law enforcement. Membership is open to all races and includes nearly 300 law enforcement professionals employed by the City and County of St. Louis. For details, call (314) 690-3565, email [email protected] or visit www.esopstl.org.
# # #
Media Contact
Rachel Brown
[email protected]
(314) 266-7035