CPFTA Students Learn What Police Officers Really Do

This Spring Break, while many students hung out at home, Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) cadets were busy experiencing life as a police officer through week-long internships with the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Under the supervision of Officer Paul Chester, CPFTA Coordinator, cadets worked in the CPD Human Resources Division, contacting Career Services offices at colleges throughout the country to provide information on a possible upcoming police exam. Cadets also prepared awards that are presented to officers who have performed heroic deeds in the course of duty. While on duty, the cadets experienced riding in police vehicles with lights and sirens on, toured the CPD headquarters and met with high ranking officers.

The major highlight for the cadets was being able to participate in the Vision of Courage training workshop. The workshop was led by Bobby Smith, a former State Trooper from New Orleans who lost his sight after being shot in the face during a routine traffic stop. Smith discussed how instead of giving up on life after the shooting, he choose to live and to use the traumatic event to discover his true vision for life. He showed the cadets strategies they can use to help them deal with traumatic events in their own lives.

Cristian Rivera from Prosser Career Academy, a CPFTA Cadet, reported that working at the Chicago Police Headquarters was the best thing he did for spring break. He felt the opportunity to work for CPD allowed him to experience life as an adult for the first time.

The following CPFTA cadets participated in the paid week-long spring break internship:
» Ajenifuja Oladipo, Bowen Global Vision Academy
» Benjamin Jaffe, Jones College Prep
» Ramon Hernandez, Richards Career Academy
» Alondra Nevarez, Lane Tech
» Cristian Rivera, Prosser Career Academy