Boulder City, Nevada
Police Department
February, 4th 2019
Cedar City, Utah
Volunteering within the Boulder City Police Department is like stepping inside a new realm of the government. The Boulder City Police Department staff were nice, and welcoming in each department. I was able to step inside most departments and see what they do and how they interact. Spending a week inside the police academy, then going on several ride alongs, spending a week with dispatch, another week in evidence, and lastly another week in records. Stepping inside was an opening light to all the people it takes to keep every community safe. Throughout May of 2018, the knowledge gained from volunteering has been a game changer as I begin to enter into the real world with my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice.
There were many parts of the Department that I found far more intriguing then others, although each station needs all the departments to work together. Working with people from the Henderson Police Academy was definitely the most exciting part to learn about, I was able to role play scenes for the academy students to help test their skills. Some of the scenes I was able to act out was domestic violence, suspicious activity, stolen licenses plates, DUI, larceny, and lastly suspended plates,warrant, possession of narcotics. Each of these scenes were vastly different as well as how the student reacted to each situation. This showed the Frugal process that each police officer has to go through in the beginning.
Dispatch was a unique experience, many dispatch operators are having to deal with 1-3 calls at any point in time. In smaller communities there tend to be fewer calls, but in larger communities it can can become quite stressful. Dispatch is also responsible for frequent radio checks with Fire fighters, police, animal control, and couple of others.
Evidence was one of the most interactive experiences I had. Although Evidence is the most secluded, you never run out of things to do. I was able to see how evidence is booked, stored, as well as how lost and found property is dealt with. The coolest thing we were able to do was actually take found guns down to the city shops, and watch them cut the guns in half so they become inoperable.
Throughout my time in records, this is the department that seemed to be the jack of all trades. There is several systems, as well as several steps to dealing with records, sex offenders, and backgrounds. While managing each aspect of records, they are the front office staff as well, so managing the daily visitors that come in is part of their everyday tasks.
Lastly, the most entertaining, all of the ride alongs. The ride alongs offered an opportunity to interact with officers and see there jobs, ask the raw questions. This was one of the few places that I really felt inside the action, as well as I was able to make some great connections here. I made some life-long friends, as well as some custom shirt orders.
All in all, this experience helped me to gain some further insight to the Boulder City Police Department, which has helped to open up future job opportunities. If it was not something that the Southern Utah University EDGE program offered, I would never be able to be as well prepared as I stand today.
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Sierra Wincentsen
(951)-837-0336
123 Happy Lane
Cedar City, Utah 84720