LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING

Cape Fear Community College Law Enforcement

Program Director Tim Fuss and Coordinator Mitch Cunningham traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to present at the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) Conference on May 16, 2022.

The College’s presentation, “Building an Officer Mental Health Wellness Culture,” was presented to approximately 85 participants from across the nation and world.

“Being able to present at the conference was a tremendous honor for CFCC and its law enforcement programs,” said Fuss. “Mental health within the public safety community is needed to bring awareness to an issue with alarming numbers. We train on response to calls, tactics, and searches but spend little time training in this area.”

CFCC was selected to present among hundreds of proposals submitted for consideration. “This consideration speaks to the excellence of our law enforcement programs and illustrates the steadfast commitment of its faculty and staff who strive to deliver high-quality training and address public safety needs in our community and beyond,” said CFCC President Jim Morton.

After years of being a nurse, Lacie Long traded in her stethoscope for a badge and made the transition from nurse to a detention officer. Lacie always had a criminal justice career in the back of her mind. Inspired by her father, a retired state trooper, she pursued her criminal justice degree and then enrolled in CFCC’s Detention Officer Certification Course.

After having three boys, Lacie realized she wanted to make her lifelong career dream a reality. “I wanted to do this for my boys,” said Lacie. “Everything I do, I do for them.”

Being a single mom to three boys, Lacie relied on her parents to help her during the transition. “My parents were my support system through the process. They took my kids to school and picked them up while I went back to school full-time. They were my rock, and I could not have done this without them.”

After becoming a police officer, Lacie came to CFCC for additional training to become a detention officer. The five-week Detention Officer Certification Course is offered to officers from across the region. “The training is essential to ensure the safety and security of those working in detention facilities and those incarcerated,” said CFCC Director of Law Enforcement Programs Tim Fuss.

“Don’t be afraid,” advises Lacie. “After years of nursing and loving my job, it was scary to take that leap of faith and change career fields. The reward is so worth it. You just can’t be afraid to take a risk.”