CHS-BOCES Law Enforcement Students Get a Head Start in Their Careers

Story by Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES

Students enrolled in the Law Enforcement program at PNW BOCES learn everything they need to start their journey towards becoming a police officer, forensic psychologist, or anything in between. Students complete a two-year program, with special emphasis placed on police tactics and practical skills such as handcuffing techniques, fingerprinting, DWI field sobriety tests, crime scene investigation and active shooter response training. 

“My mom was a staff sergeant in the military; my sister is in the military police, and my aunt and uncle are corrections officers,” said Carmel High School student Renamarie Vanzo, who said law enforcement is in her blood. ​​​​“It’s been great learning more about specific laws in this class.” Renamarie plans to study criminal justice at the University of Albany and hopes to go into the FBI.

“I would recommend this class to other students because it really gives you an idea of what the real world is like in law enforcement,” said Derek Polanco, Carmel. Derek plans to go to Iona College to study criminal justice and wants to pursue a career as a police officer.

“There is so much detail to what we learn here. I am a visual learner, and the hands-on approach of this class really is something I love,” said Anna Marino, a junior in the program who is also from Carmel. She wants to be a forensic psychologist in the FBI in the future and loves the law enforcement skills she is learning. Anna is also a Putnam County Sheriff's cadet, where she trains in police scenarios such as domestic calls. Though she has learned much from being a cadet, “there are other things this course teaches that complement what I have learned,” she said.