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WTI seeks an aide in criminal justice
By BARBARA BEHRENDT INVERNESS -- Some days it seems that all Eber Brown gets to do is answer the same questions over and over again. Potential students of the law enforcement academy Brown directs at the Withlacoochee Technical Institute want to know about the calendar, the fee schedule, the enrollment requirements. Now the school has proposed establishing a Criminal Justice Assessment Center and hiring a facilitator who could field all such questions. The facilitator also would screen potential trainees, coordinate testing, help with remedial training and even help them get jobs after graduation. On Tuesday, WTI director Steve Hand will ask the School Board to approve the new facilitator position, whose salary will be paid through state work force development dollars. The total cost, including benefits, would be $43,800. "We're going to try to streamline these operations," Brown explained, noting that the new person would allow him to spend more time operating the criminal justice programs, which are the largest programs at the school. WTI trains law enforcement and corrections officers. The facilitator also would coordinate the administration of a new test that, starting in January, will be required for all potential trainees. The Law Enforcement Abilities Test is designed to measure whether a person's skills match the requirements of a law enforcement career. "It's more of an indication of whether a person will fit into the law enforcement mold," Brown said. "For several years, the chiefs and sheriffs in Florida have been asking for something to better determine if a person is suited for this." If approved, the facilitator also would conduct the basic adult education tests required of the trainees, arrange remedial instruction where necessary, conduct background and criminal history checks, arrange physical exams and drug screenings and serve as the financial aide adviser. For those finishing their training through WTI's academy, the facilitator will also provide placement assistance. "We want to coordinate these activities rather than do them piecemeal," Brown said, noting that students and the school will benefit in the long run. "This is going to be good for us and good for them."
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