Austin Community College (ACC) said that it’s not seeing ample enrollment in its criminal justice program, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported.
The station reported that the decrease in enrollment occurred just as law enforcement agencies nationwide are struggling to fill their ranks.
A little over 800 pursued criminal justice studies in 2019 whereas approximately 500 were in the program as of last year, KXAN reported.
Delta Jolly, who teaches in the program, told the station that they’re working to bring students back into face-to-face learning after the COVID-19 pandemic forced classes to be taught online.
“When we do, it’s easier for our professionals who have decades of experience in this fields [to be] able to have these candid conversations, and talk about the current events that are happening,” Jolly said in the report. “When you’re talking to a computer screen, it’s harder to have those candid conversations.”
According to the report, the minimum age to become a peace officer in the State of Texas is 21, with fresh high school graduates being able to enroll at ACC before moving on to the police academy.
About 80% of ACC graduates stay and work in Austin and surrounding areas, to which the school said is why it wants to boost enrollment in its public safety program, KXAN reported.
Those who complete the program can go into corrections and forensics aside from becoming police officers or sheriff’s deputies, Jolly told the station.
Austin Journal reported last month that the Austin Police Department (APD) was hoping its current cadet class will address its staffing woes.
Citing Austin FOX affiliate KTBC, the publication reported that APD seeks to foster a supportive environment in order to be successful at recruitment and retention.
The department loosened restrictions for future cadets to get a spike in applications, Austin Journal reported.