Criminal Justice: Corrections program comes to Temecula campus

SJVC recognized that Temecula was the perfect environment in which to introduce one of its most popular career training programs: Criminal Justice Corrections.

“We heard from some of our local police departments that there was a need for qualified candidates for employment in our area,” says Robyn Whiles, Temecula campus president. SJVC’s corporate office’s research determined that not only was there a great need for well-trained law enforcement professionals, but there were limited education and training resources available in the area to fill those needs.

It took fewer than nine months to make the Criminal Justice Corrections program a reality on the Temecula campus. “It was an easy migration of that program to our campus,” says Whiles. Hers will be the eighth SJVC campus to offer the Corrections program, currently offered on the Visalia, Bakersfield, Fresno, Ontario, Modesto, Victor Valley and Antelope Valley campuses.

Temecula’s Criminal Justice Corrections program will start its first class in Summer 2018. The class will initially be offered Monday-Thursday evenings from 5:30-10:15 PM.

“SJVC offers our graduates a Criminal Justice A.S. Degree, as well as State Standards and Training for Corrections (STC), Adult Corrections Officer (ACO) certifications, which allow them to work in in a correctional facility,” says Mark Swagger, SJVC’s Criminal Justice Compliance and Operations Manager.

“Graduates also earn Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) licenses, Baton permit, Chemical Agents permit and Firearms permit, all of which are desired in the field of security,” adds Swagger.

SJVC’s Criminal Justice Corrections program is accelerated, regimented, and designed to prepare cadets for the rigors and challenges of a career protecting and serving others.

“The student who walks through the front door for the first day of class is very, very different from the student who graduates,” says Whiles, remembering Criminal Justice Corrections students on the Ontario campus. “Those students grew in confidence, skills and communication abilities; and it’s great to see that professional growth occur.”

Law enforcement offices, including sheriff and police departments, as well as security and detention facilities from across California, come to San Joaquin Valley College to recruit job candidates. “These agencies are coming to our campuses to recruit their personnel, knowing that we are running a program that has a para-military structure to prepare our students for a career in the field of law enforcement, and provide the appropriate certifications and licenses,” says Swagger.

The Criminal Justice Corrections program will complement current program offerings on the Temecula campus, which include Respiratory Therapy, Business Administration, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration, Pharmacy Technology, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning-Refrigeration (HVAC-R), Dental Assisting and Surgical Technology.