An experimental public safety course at Allan Hancock College is yielding positive results, according to members of its inaugural class.
Launched in August 2009, the new Women in Public Safety Careers class is designed by the college’s law enforcement academy instructors to help people prepare physically and emotionally for law enforcement, fire, and emergency services academies.
“I’ve had so many students tell me that they are doing things physically that they never thought they’d be able to do and all because of this class,” instructor and academy coordinator Deb Annibali said in a release to the media.
Composed of 27 women and one man, the current class meets two nights a week. During that time students run through obstacle courses, weight train, and focus on other things they will be tested on during academy. One of the most difficult exercises, according to enrollee Kandace Combs, is “the Wall.”
“I’ve seen men who have never jumped a wall before get over on brute strength alone,” Combs said in the release. “I can’t do that, but with a little practice and the right technique, I can get over it, and that’s what I’ve learned in this class.”
Combs said the class has given her a huge advantage that will help her succeed the next time she signs up for the academy. Fellow student Mariaelena Aguilera found the course equally beneficial.
“I was struggling a little bit, but this class motivated me to get better and gave me the support I needed to know that I can graduate from the academy,” Aguilera said in the release.
Along with physical training, students in the class also get to hear women from different branches of law enforcement share their experiences on the force.
The Women in Public Safety Careers class will be offered again during the spring semester, beginning Feb. 1, 2010.
For more information, call the public safety department at 922-6966, Ext. 3284.
This article appears in Dec 10-17, 2009.