Charlo student receives top honors at junior police academy
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CHARLO – Jason Stevens built more than an impressive resume while attending the Montana Junior Police Leadership Academy in Helena earlier this month when he put his shy nature behind him to stand out among his peers. At the age of 17, the Charlo native is turning heads in the law enforcement community not only Lake County, but also at the state level. Limited to “the best of the best” high school students in Montana, the academy provides hands-on training in crime scene investigation, search and rescue missions, police car driving and teamwork. At the conclusion of the week-long event, Jason was pleasantly surprised when he was awarded the “Inspiration Award,” which is regarded as the top honor the academy awards.
In order to be accepted into the academy, Jason first had to complete an application, followed by an essay, which was sent to Lake County Sheriff Jay Doyle, from whom he sought sponsorship.
“A deputy told me he’d be great for the academy,” Doyle said. “He was the first student I’ve sponsored. It’s good to see someone young that’s proactive and involved with law enforcement.”
According to Doyle, law enforcement is losing its appeal to teenagers, with most entering police departments at an older age than in the past. He also noted most law enforcement officers are hired prior to attending police academy, which makes Jason more desirable when applying for a law enforcement job.
“It’s good to see young people interested in law enforcement,” Doyle said. “It’s getting harder to find young people. Law enforcement is not a job where you make a lot of money, it’s all about camaraderie, helping your community, leadership and confidence building.”
“He took the initiative to go to the academy,” Doyle noted. “He has gone the extra step to do what he needs to do, and that’s what I’m looking for.”
According to Stevens, he’s been shy through his years at Charlo High School, but the camaraderie of his fellow academy students helped him come out of his shell.
“I got closer to the 30 kids at the academy than kids I had been around in Charlo for 13 years,” Stevens said.
“He had a really good time,” mother Connie Stevens said. “He used to be quiet, but he got his self esteem back. He did a 180 at the academy.”
Jason admits he didn’t even know about the academy before an announcement over the intercom at Charlo High School. He was the only student from his school to complete the application and was the only student from Lake County accepted into the academy.
Before his interest in law enforcement began, Jason said he wanted to study archeology. But for the past five years he was equally interested in either becoming a minister or a policeman.
“He wasn’t quite sure (what he wanted to do) until he went to the academy,” Connie said. “That’s what finally made him completely interested (to pursue police work.)”
Due to a rigorous schedule, Jason spent most of the week sleep deprived most of the time. He began each day by waking at 4:45 a.m. for breakfast, before heading to physical training. After the workout, students were briefed in a classroom about what they would do that day.
After lunch they would venture to crime scenes, drive police cars, work on teamwork skills, or cruise around on a hovercraft on a search and rescue mission, before ending the day around 8 p.m.
Once he completes his senior year at Charlo High School, Stevens plans on attending the Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell to receive his degree in criminology. After he completes the two-year program he hopes to attend the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena. There, he hopes to focus on working with the canine unit.
“I’m good with animals, and the whole idea of having a dog with me is interesting,” Jason said.
