Law Enforcement Technology 

The mission of the Law Enforcement Technology program is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as an entry-level law enforcement officer, as assessed through student competency evaluations and employer/student satisfaction surveys.

A law enforcement officer is an official representative of government who is entrusted with a wide variety of duties. Regardless of the type and size of the organization they work for, law enforcement officers are expected to perform in a professional manner. The highly competitive nature of obtaining most law enforcement positions requires applicants to be prepared academically, be physically fit, as well as have the hands-on skills necessary to do the job. Many entry-level applicants for law enforcement positions are encouraged or required to have completed at least two years of formal postsecondary education. The WDT Law Enforcement program will help prepare students with these requirements.

To gain successful entrance to the WDT Law Enforcement program, applicants must have an acceptable criminal background and be of good moral character. Items that will definitely exclude them from consideration are felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions concerning moral turpitude, domestic violence, and recent drug usage, to name a few. Applicants must have a current valid drivers license. In addition, they must not have any medical conditions which would prevent them from engaging in the day-to-day activities which a law enforcement officer may have to perform. This includes, but is not limited to, running, jumping, standing for long periods of time, driving, handling firearms, and engaging in strenuous physical activity. The training at WDT includes all of these aspects. This is not a strictly academic program; it has an extensive hands-on component to it.

From an academic viewpoint, it is important to be properly prepared in the basic English skills of grammar, spelling, and reading abilities. In the area of math applicants must be prepared in both basic math skills and algebra. To gain acceptance into the LET program applicants must:

1. Make application to WDT and take the COMPASS test or have an acceptable ACT/SAT.
2. Successfully pass a criminal background check.
3. Undergo a personal interview which takes about one hour.
4. Pass a pre-entrance drug screen.