UHD Grad Completes Police Academy and Field training

(Houston, Texas, May 25, 2007)  Training to become a Houston Police officer is not a piece of cake.  Just ask Shannon Starkweather.  First she completed a 2004 UHD Criminal Justice Degree (in three years, Cum Laude).  Next she worked two years at the Sheriff's Department, waiting for a new Police Academy class to open.  Her application was accepted and she attended classes, then took the exam (passing with flying colors) and began her field training, riding with an experienced officer and learning the ropes.  Finally, she was in charge and an experienced officer rode with her, evaluating everything she did.  She passed that evaluation, too.  On May 23, 2007, she was sent out at last on her own beat in the Rice University area.

"Everything went wrong," she says, laughing.  "I only got two calls.  I was afraid I'd get lost -- I'm carrying a compass with me so I don't confuse north and south.  Then my computer went out and I had to spend all afternoon in the radio shop."

When Starkweather's dad died unexpectedly this year, law school plans fizzled.  She is now enrolled in an online master's program in strategic management to support quick HPD promotion. 

Starkweather treasures her UHD education.  Many HPD cadets struggled with legalese, but she had no trouble because of her criminal law classes at UHD. 

"Also, I met so many police officers at UHD," Starkweather says.  "We even had the Chief of the Pasadena Police Department speak to us!  People at all levels give input on topics -- even retired officers.  It really broadens your mind."

Starkweather trained well.  The folks in the Rice university area should feel a little safer knowing that she is on the streets looking out for them.

UH-Downtown is a public university of nearly 12,000 students, offering a wide variety of bachelor’s degrees, as well as master’s programs in criminal justice, professional writing, security management and teaching. One of four distinct universities in the UH System, Houston’s Downtown University is nationally recognized for its student diversity, wireless campus, outstanding academic opportunities and productive community partnerships. At UHD, the emphasis is on excellence in teaching and student success.

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