CEDARVILLE, Ohio — It is getting tougher for police departments to recruit good candidates to become officers — a sentiment shared by Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and law enforcement leaders throughout Ohio.
As a result, the governor recently announced a pilot program coming this fall to help departments connect with and train college students for the job.
Will Geist, 20, comes to a pond, a peaceful place in the middle of Cedarville University’s campus, to think from time to time. One thing on Will’s mind has been the state’s new “College to Law Enforcement Pathway Program.”
“If I get in, I’d be able to learn from the best,” said Geist.
For now, it is just an “if “whether Will gets accepted into the program. It does not start until the fall. The program, for junior and senior criminal justice majors at Cedarville as well as Central State University, pairs students with mentors in law enforcement to help them get ready for a career.
A job would also be guaranteed should they graduate from school and the program.
In the meantime, Geist is not sitting around and waiting. He is training day and night to get into the best shape of his life.
“This is just basic preparation,” Geist said while working out in Cedarville’s gym. “It’s building blocks little by little in order to meet those requirements. If I’m going to have this opportunity, I better be prepared and be ready to face whatever obstacles that I need to overcome.”
Geist grew up in nearby Springfield thinking about the day he could walk through similar doors and follow in similar footsteps of his two grandfathers.
His father’s father, James Geist, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-77. He ended his career as a senior master sergeant and security police chief at Kwang Ju Air Force Base in South Korea. His mother’s father, Virgil Robinson, served in the U.S. Army from 1954-57 as a SP 3 (T) corporal demolition specialist.
“I want to be able to stand up for those that can’t stand up for themselves and be an advocate for those that need aid,” said Geist.
That attitude excited Dr. Patrick Oliver, who not only runs the criminal justice program at Cedarville, but will also be in charge of overseeing the pilot program.
“There’s no profession on the planet that provides the type of service law enforcement does under conditions that law enforcement provides it,” said Oliver. “So we’re looking for people who are really committed and have a deep desire to want to serve as law enforcement officers.”
For now, Geist is on the job with campus security. He works part time during the school year and full time in the summer.
“It can be thrilling at times. Sometimes it’s just driving around making sure students, staff, visitors are safe,” Geist said. “So just having that opportunity even before joining a law enforcement agency is incredible.”
He thinks it would be even more incredible to one day become a full-fledged police officer while also carrying on his family’s legacy in public service.
“They’d be very proud,” he said. “They’re excited for my future. They’ve always supported my endeavors and I’m forever thankful and grateful for that.”
