The SRJC District Police Department hired a new officer over winter break. With just a month of on-duty patrol under her belt, Officer Brittany Hawks already feels blessed to be given the opportunity and is confident this job is the right fit for her.
After completing a grueling 880 hours of work at Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Training Center’s Police Academy in 2009, Hawks was sworn in Dec. 21 at the SRJC District Police Deptartment’s annual Christmas party. She has been on patrol with school in session for roughly two weeks.
“It’s about five to six months depending on what academy you go to. And that’s a full-time academy so it’s pretty intensive,” Hawks said in regards to her training before becoming an officer. “Then obviously finding a job and going through that whole process is very intense as well.”
Hawks grew up in Northern California and enjoys staying local and continuing to be a member of the community.
“I love [SRJC]. It’s got a great atmosphere and it’s very family-oriented and community based,” Hawks said. “So that’s a really neat thing to be a part of.”
Other members of the District Police Department already think Hawks is a positive new addition and provides much needed enthusiasm around headquarters.
“I remember her being very sharp in the academy, so when she applied for the job here it was great,” said Dave Willat, lieutenant of SRJC’s District Police Department and Hawks’ former instructor at the Napa Valley Police Academy. “She seems to be catching on very well and she’s excited to be here, so that kind of enthusiasm and excitement is infectious.”
With a steady rise in student population and an increase in theft, vandalism and various other crimes, Officer Hawks must learn quickly before her field training phase expires and she begins patrolling SRJC on her own.
Hawks will be on patrol with her current field training officer, Daniel James, for approximately four months.
“Being out on patrol is knowing that I have to complete the task and put all of my training into use,” Hawks said in regards to the transition from training to working alone. “Being able to just go out and do it and make a decision without having to rely on my field training officer will be the biggest change.”
SRJC’s District Police Department plans to fill three more positions over the next year, as well as hire a full-time Chief of Police.