The Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy at Pueblo Community College has been educating future law enforcement officers for years, and this year is no different. Cadets learn how to positively impact the communities they’ll serve while learning from those who are already making an impact in local law enforcement agencies.
Two Cortez Police Department cadets and one Dolores County cadet are attending the current class, which will end on May 29. The cadets will officially graduate on June 1.
The academy takes 20 weeks to complete, and class sizes are typically 14 to 16 cadets. Seven Cortez Police Department officers and five officers from the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office are teaching at the academy.
“The director and other instructors teaching at the academy do a spectacular job and are very passionate about providing the cadets with the most current training to prepare them for what, hopefully, is a long successful career,” Detective Lt. Angelo Martinez told The Journal. Martinez has been teaching at the academy for 10 years, teaching a variety of topics, including firearms, Taser and white collar computer crimes.
Though many cadets are already hired or in the process of being hired by a law enforcement agency by the time they start the program, this isn’t required. Many are hired while in the program. Cadets who have already been hired often have an agreement with their sponsor to share the cost of the academy, according to academy director Douglas Parker.
This program is also one of a kind.
“This is a 20-week course and very intensive,” Parker said. “No other course I know takes new, untrained people at they start and in 20 weeks makes them career ready. It is a unique challenge which requires depth of discipline and commitment.”
Cortez PD’s Detective Kristin Cannon has been teaching at the academy since 2021 and teaches emergency vehicle operations courts and domestic violence. Cannon noted that the program helps equip cadets to make a difference in the communities they serve and that she tries to teach what she wished she had learned as a cadet.
“I also love how law enforcement provides opportunities to positively impact communities in every day interactions, and I try to instill that concept into the cadets from the start,” Cannon said.
Cannon emphasized the need for more women officers.
“At present, only 3% of police leadership positions are held by women. Women bring extremely valuable experience and insight to this profession and have particular skill in helping victims of sexual and domestic violence,” Cannon said. “They're also proven to be less likely to use excessive force. There are many reasons recruiting women has a profoundly positive impact on communities and police departments.”
Because women are also “disproportionately affected by crime,” Cannon noted that women officers can often respond to domestic violence calls with more empathy than their male counterparts.
“Law enforcement gives you the opportunity to be the first point of contact for crime victims and really show them some grace, support and guidance in the worst moments of their lives,” Cannon said.
Detective Thomas Quinnett, who has been teaching at the academy for six years and teaches drug identification and symptomology, he tries to teach cadets to stay safe and serve their communities with integrity.
“I try to emphasize that they stay safe and vigilant as a police officer at all times,” Quinnett said. “We never want to underestimate how dangerous being a police officer is in this day and age. And above all, serve their community with integrity. This involves the commitment to honesty and a willingness to do what’s right at all times.”
Parker also shared ways those interested in becoming cadets can prepare for the academy.
“To prepare for the academy, take some basic writing and English courses … Law enforcement requires officers to compose reports every day. They must learn how to create content themselves; AI and templates don't fill the bill,” Parker said. “Don't come to the academy to get into shape … Prospective cadets should prepare with cross-fit classes and cardio.”
Parker added that interested individuals should schedule a ride along with local agencies to better understand “the job and its challenges.”
Cannon said cadets should enroll and wish to be officers “for the right reasons.”
“Do it for the right reasons,” Cannon said. “It sounds cheesy, but if you want to make a positive impact in your community, consider applying.”
Quinnett noted that cadets should understand the commitment it takes to be a law enforcement officer.
“If you plan on going to the police academy, you must start with making smart choices and prepare now to meet the requirements. The criteria will push you to your limits mentally, physically and emotionally,” Quinnett said. “Law enforcement is a huge commitment and may take you away from family time, children sports and activities, to include weekends and holidays. It will also be very rewarding.”
“It is a challenging, rewarding, exciting job,” Martinez echoed. “There are going to be tough calls, tough cases, tough days and sometimes you may not always catch a suspect, but you do get the reward of making a difference in someone's life.”
The Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy is located in Mancos and employs 30 active police officers as instructors, representing nine local agencies.
The academy offers 684 to 775 training hours, exceeding the required 556, and covers topics like criminal law, patrol techniques, firearms, driving and arrest control and scenario-based training.
The 67-credit program prepares graduates for the statewide POST exam and careers in various law enforcement roles, such as patrol officers, detectives and supervisors.
Those who wish to apply to the program or learn more can do so online at www.pueblocc.edu/programs/lea.
