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Magnet Staff/Programs Info » Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement

Welcome to Law Enforcement!

 

  • Mrs. Michele Sparks

"The Law Enforcement major will focus on critical thinking, conflict management skills, and fundamental character building in each student. Mrs. Sparks strives to develop a well informed and overall better individual by focusing on Law Enforcement elements. The 2023-24 school year is Mrs. Sparks 30th year of teaching and her 15th year teaching Law Enforcement at VTCTA.

 

Law Enforcement officers are in great demand around the country at all levels- Federal, State, and Local- and in numerous agencies.  U.S. Citizens want their Law Enforcement officers to be compassionate, honorable, fair, and well trained.

 

I am honored and excited to work with you to become a better citizen of the world.” -- Mrs. Sparks

 

  • Mr. Terry Murphy

"I am extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity to prepare students for a successful career in Law Enforcement.  Using project-based strategies, coupled with my law enforcement experiences (Patrol Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer and Patrol Sergeant) students will gain theoretical and practical knowledge in the basic principles of law enforcement. 

 

Students will develop the confidence, command presence, and interpersonal communication skills necessary to communicate effectively with members of their community. Student will also learn report writing, acquire investigative skills, and understand peace officers power to arrest.  Finally, students will learn to embrace diversity and inclusivity as they strive to become SENTINELS of their communities.

 

I look forward to developing the next generation of law enforcement officers who will one day propel this profession forward"--Mr. Murphy 

 

Law Enforcement studies will include:

  • Radio protocol
  • Vehicle stops
  • Map reading
  • Command presence
  • Handcuffing
  • Search/Pat downs
  • Investigation procedures
  • MILO simulator
  • Weapons nomenclature, handling and range safety
  • Conflict management
  • De Escalation Skills

Meet our Instructors:

 

Michele Sparks, Law Enforcement Instructor

  • BA, Secondary Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  • ME, Education Technology, Lesley University
  • 30 years as a CCSD teacher
  • Instructor in Law Enforcement at Veterans Tribute CTA since inception in 2009

 

Awards & Extra Curricular:

  • Heart of Education Award, Finalist 2023
  • Advisor, SkillsUSA--Multi award winning for customer service, extemporaneous speech, prepared speech, related technical math and Crime Scene Investigation job demonstration. Have placed gold, silver, and bronze. National Bronze Medal in Customer Service.
  • Former Advisor Sentinel Color Guard
  • Collaborator for State Standards for Law Enforcement program
    • Revised State Standards for new 2 year Law Enforcement program
  • Collaborator for CCSD on writing End of Program Skills Test
  • Created and revised the CCSD Course Scope and Goals for Law Enforcement program

 

Terry Murphy, Law Enforcement Instructor

  • BS, Criminal Justice, University of Pittsburgh
  • MS, Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership, University of California, San Diego
  • 14 years at Culver City, CA Police Department--Field Training Officer, Detective, retired as Patrol Sergeant
  • Assistant General Manager at Sony Pictures, Lead Security
  • Professional Football Player for Cincinnati Bengals
 
Awards & Extra Curricular:
  • Medal of Valor Recipient (highest possible policing award)
  • Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award Recipient (policing award voted on by peers)
  • Current HS Football Coach for Spring Valley HS
 
 

Students who Major in Law Enforcement will take the following courses:

 

This course sequence pertains to the school year 2023-24 and forward

 

  • 9th-Law Enforcement I
  • 10th-Law Enforcement II
  • 11th--Criminal Justice 
  • 12th-Law Enforcement Advanced Studies (TBD)

 

We also encourage all Law Enforcement students to Minor in one of the following areas in their Jr. year:

  • Criminal Justice (supplementary program)
  • Forensic Science
  • 9-1-1 Dispatch
  • Cybersecurity

 

Recommended Coursework Includes:

  • 11th--Sociology 
  • 12th-AP Psychology

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is a proud sponsor of the Law Enforcement Explorer Program

 

** This volunteer program gives young men and women ages 16 to 20 a unique hands-on chance to determine if they want to pursue a career in law enforcement. It also builds trust and cooperation between youth and the police department, and enhances self-confidence, motivation and self-esteem.

 

** Law Enforcement Exploring is part of a national Learning for Life program, which is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.

 

** The LVMPD currently sponsors Explorer posts which focus in four main fields of law enforcement: Corrections, Crime Scene Investigation, Dispatch and Patrol.

  

** Each post is headed by an Advisor, who specializes in the area the post is involved with.

 

** These officers and civilian employees train and educate Explorers in a number of law enforcement subjects as well as in the LVMPD operations. The Advisors and Associate Advisors, many of whom are former Explorers themselves, volunteer the time they spend with the program.

 

** For more information see the LVMPD Exploring webpage: https://www.lvmpd.com/en-us/Pages/Explorers.aspx

Michelle Sparks
Mrs. Sparks
Mr. Murphy