Graduates of the BGPD's law enforcement academy can now take advantage of a new agreement with Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, which will provide free college credits to earn an associate's degree. The city of Bowling Green is funding the program with the aim of strengthening the police department.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College will offer free courses to incoming recruits of the Bowling Green Police Department through an agreement signed November 20, 2020. After completing BGPD's law enforcement academy, recruits are eligible to take up to five classes at SKYCTC. The students will earn 45 credit hours for the training completed at the academy, then combine the 15 credits earned through the five classes to receive an associates of applied science degree. The degree can help new officers qualify for higher ranking positions at the police department.
The agreement was reached after SKYCTC President Dr. Phil Neal reached out to BGPD when the department started developing the law enforcement academy. BGPD formed the academy to provide in-house training from BGPD officers experienced in servicing the community. Dr. Neal said that he recognized the potential for the city to develop a highly-qualified workforce in law enforcement, and the opportunities that SKYCTC could provide to strengthen the credentials and professional development of new BGPD officers. Participants will complete their degrees with classes in communication, humanities, reasoning, and social and behavioral sciences. In a press release, BGPD Deputy Lt. Col. Penny Bowles said, "We're really excited for the opportunity to have our recruits continue their secondary education and get an associate degree that they can hopefully transfer and continue their education toward a four-year degree." Bowles also stressed that the cost savings alone made the opportunity for new officers offered through the partnership was "phenomenal."
The free credits amount to a significant savings for those who take advantage of the agreement. At $179 per credit hour tuition rates, participants can save over $2,500 in earning their degree. BGPD recently graduated its first class of recruits from the newly formed law enforcement academy. Of the eleven members of the class, four have committed to taking part in the associate's degree program. In an article posted by WNKY40, Dr. Neal said of the program, "I think this just shows the investment that the city is making in continuing the high-quality growth within our law enforcement. I think it's something that we as citizens of Bowling Green and Warren County and South-Central Kentucky should be proud of." Funds for the program are benign provided by the city of Bowling Green.