UCO and OKCPD Partner to Create Innovative Path to a Degree and a Career in Law Enforcement
Aug. 2, 2024
The University of Central Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) are working together to meet critical workforce needs, providing an innovative pathway to a college degree and employment with OKCPD.
Through a new partnership, individuals who successfully complete the Oklahoma City Police Academy can receive 15 academic prior learning credit hours from UCO toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
The partnership also allows UCO criminal justice students to be admitted to the Oklahoma City Police Academy while they pursue their bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion of the academy training, they earn 15 prior learning credit hours and an offer of employment as a peace officer with OKCPD.
UCO and OKCPD made the partnership official with the signing of a memorandum of understanding July 31 at UCO’s historic Old North with UCO President Todd G. Lamb and OKCPD Police Chief Wade Gourley.
“As the state’s only public metropolitan university, the University of Central Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to work closely with Oklahoma’s largest police department. We set the standard as the accessible university of choice for students from all walks of life, meeting them where they are and helping them achieve their goals through higher education,” President Lamb said. “This partnership with OKCPD is all the more rewarding in that we are supporting the work of those who serve and commit to putting their lives on the line each day for our safety.”
OKCPD is excited for the partnership’s potential to enhance their recruitment efforts in attracting candidates from diverse higher education backgrounds. Having more officers with bachelor’s degrees ensures a higher number of officers are prepared for advancement within the department.
“The UCO partnership will help us recruit and retain quality individuals for our police force. We strongly encourage our officers to pursue higher education and do what we can to help them get a degree, grow within the department and become better officers in their service to the city,” Chief Gourley said.
UCO students must meet qualifications for admission to the Oklahoma City Police Academy and pass a background check, as well as maintain physical fitness standards, meet regularly with an OKCPD mentor and maintain eligibility to work on the OKC police force while participating in the academy.
To learn more about the UCO School of Criminal Justice, visit www.uco.edu/cj or email criminaljustice@uco.edu.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) announced a new partnership to provide an innovative pathway to a college degree and employment with OKCPD. The university and OKCPD made the partnership official with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with UCO President Todd G. Lamb and OKCPD Police Chief Wade Gourley. Pictured from left to right, seated: Gourley and Lamb.
Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) announced a new partnership to provide an innovative pathway to a college degree and employment with OKCPD. The university and OKCPD made the partnership official with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with UCO President Todd G. Lamb and OKCPD Police Chief Wade Gourley. Pictured from left to right, seated: Gourley and Lamb. Standing: Capt. Jermaine Johnson, OKCPD and UCO School of Criminal Justice adjunct professor; Deputy Chief Jason Clifton, OKCPD; Elizabeth Maier, Ph.D., dean of the UCO College of Liberal Arts; Jaime Burns, Ph.D., UCO School of Criminal Justice; and, Charlotte Simmons, Ph.D., UCO provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at UCO.
Brendan Maxwell