Wisconsin’s law enforcement career academy has guided hundreds of youths through hands-on training, education and discipline since it started in 2017.
Liam Wellach, 17, is getting a head start on his career, thanks to the Wisconsin American Legion.
“I've always wanted to go into law enforcement,” says Wellach, a rising senior at Central Wisconsin Christian in Waupun. “A lot of times you don't know what you get into. It might not be the easiest job, but I get antsy. I don't like sitting still. I would die at an office job. I think just doing the unknown and helping people out is a big part of it.”
He is among the 30 cadets who attended the Wisconsin American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy (WALLECA) during the last week of June at the State Patrol Academy at Ft. McCoy. WALLECA, which is open to Wisconsin juniors and seniors in high school, provides first-hand experiences and insight into the operations of law enforcement agencies. The program also affords highly motivated young people an opportunity to consider law enforcement as a career choice.
Wellach was encouraged to attend by his mother, who saw an advertisement on Facebook, and Dodge County deputies, where he is in the cadet program.
Admitting he was nervous at the start, Wellach credits the instructors for combining education, motivation, discipline and fun.
“All the classes are super valuable, even the morning PT,” he says. “But they make that fun and I really like learning the different stuff that we would use in the field. I'm looking forward to when the motor cops come in with their motorcycles, I can see myself going down that path as I ride now.”
The weeklong session educates cadets on a variety of law enforcement work such as defense and arrest tactics, hand-to-hand combat, firearms and more.
Department of Wisconsin Commander Jim Johnson is the director of WALLECA and has naturally been a part of the program since its inception in 2017. After all, the Marine Corps and Army veteran also is a retired Ozaukee County sheriff.
“In the military, we protected the freedoms of our fellow citizens,” said Johnson, a member of Post 82 in Port Washington. “Law enforcement has that same mission to protect their freedoms. So to allow children and young adults to see that and experience that I think is important. And to have The American Legion as part of that process, you can't get that anywhere else.”
Johnson is a big proponent of the Legion’s Be the One mission and included it in this year’s program. During a visit from American Legion National Commander Jim LaCoursiere, a Be the One walk was held around the campus led by cadet Wellach. The commander and other Legion Family members joined the cadets.
“It was really special,” Johnson said. “It's also special to our national commander for Be the One because we're all trying to make a difference to reduce veteran suicide. These kids want to learn and grow. And with that, I think there's a special appreciation of the needs of veterans. So we want to have them be able to identify other veterans and talk with them. I think talking and listening to veterans is really going to be helpful to reduce the incidents of suicide.”
Many cadets have family members who are in the military and/or law enforcement.
Gracelyn Novak, whose father and sister are Marines, appreciates how The American Legion is making this possible for her and her peers. “This means a very great deal to me that they have not stopped their service, but they're still serving others.”
Like other cadets, Novak envisions a career in law enforcement for herself.
“I've always been interested in law enforcement and coming here was a great way to see if this was a good fit for me,” she explained, noting she really enjoyed the ethics class. “I really want to make a difference in my community and this is one of the biggest ways that would help me be able to do that.”
Her advice to other students considering such a career choice: “I would say going to something like this is going to be the first step because if you don't like it here, chances are you're not going to like it as a career. But if you do, then it's going to be a great fit for you.”
Ashtyn Andersen, who recently graduated high school, plans to attend college then pursue a career as an officer. “I just really like the idea of knowing that my actions someday are going to make a difference in someone's life.”
He noted the education goes beyond the technical aspects, citing respect, manners and other lifelong lessons.
“I think what might be the most interesting thing is probably the people,” Andersen said. “I've made a lot of friends already. And the people who are teaching us everything. They're kind of close with you, but they also teach you respect. They teach you manners. We're marching, we're learning how to properly address them, so it kind of prepares you for real world.”
Kiera Adams-McIntosh, whose brother is in the military, is also interested in becoming an officer. She was impressed by the firearms class.
“We learned how to hold a firearm, how to reload it, unload it and all the safety precautions,” she said. “It was very interesting to me. I have only done this one other time, so I was able to just get more understanding about that area.”
Upon graduation, this year’s class advanced a significant step closer to a career in law enforcement. Some will likely add to WALLECA’s legacy.
They will be following the footsteps of previous graduates, like Piper, who Johnson singled out.
“Piper was a great student, very smart young lady,” he said. “She ended up joining the Wisconsin Army National Guard, the same MP company as mine. So I went back to an MP reunion and this young soldier walked up to me and said, ‘I'm Piper.’ She followed my path to join and be an MP. Now she's an instructor and that is special. I've run into other graduates over the years who also have had successful careers.”
- Junior Law