UWG Celebrates Fourth Cohort of ALETE Graduates, Achieving 100 Percent Job Placement Share this page
The University of West Georgia, in partnership with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC), recently graduated its fourth Academic Law Enforcement Training Exchange (ALETE) cohort during a ceremony held at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts.
Surrounded by university leadership, faculty, instructors and families, all 22 graduating cadets entered the workforce with a 100 percent job placement rate across regional law enforcement agencies, including the UWG Police Department (UPD), Douglasville Police Department, Newnan Police Department, Villa Rica Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.
The innovative program allows students to earn up to 15 credit hours toward their Bachelor of Science in Criminology while simultaneously completing basic mandate school and achieving Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification.
Major Robert Yates, GPSTC academy manager, opened the ceremony by welcoming attendees before UWG President Dr. Michael Johnson spoke.
“ALETE prepares students for far more than a career in law enforcement – it prepares them for a life of service,” Johnson said. “These graduates have demonstrated the discipline, integrity and perseverance required to earn their POST certification, but just as importantly, they understand that this profession is about serving people, building trust and making a positive difference in their communities. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and confident they will lead with character throughout their careers.”
Graduate and Cadet James Paul also delivered an address followed by keynote speaker Major Chadwin Payne of the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.
Reflecting on the impact of this dual academic and operational framework, UWG Police Chief Dr. Ned Watson emphasized how the ALETE curriculum closes the traditional divide between academic criminology and the physical reality of police academy training.
“ALETE transforms criminology students from learners of policing concepts into emerging practitioners who have already begun applying those concepts in a supervised, professional environment,” he stated.
For over 16 weeks, the training combined classroom theory with hands-on technical instruction, including firearms certification at the range adjacent to University Stadium and a week-long residential module in Forsyth, Georgia, where cadets master the emergency vehicle operator course precision driving, felony stops and precision immobilization technique maneuvers.
For many students, the journey began with strong academic knowledge and motivation to learn the physical, mental and emotional stamina required in public safety. Through rigorous physical conditioning, defensive tactics and scenario-based decision-making under stress, cadets built physical resilience, ethical reasoning and unyielding self-discipline.
Watson noted that witnessing this personal metamorphosis is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program.
“In many cases, the person who graduates is noticeably different from the person who arrived,” he explained. “They leave not only with enhanced technical skills but also a professional mindset that prepares them for success in the academy, field training and, ultimately, their careers as law enforcement officers.”
ALETE’s perfect placement record underscores a major shift across Georgia’s law enforcement landscape toward recruiting officers equipped with both higher education credentials and practical training. On a traditional path, aspiring officers often spend up to six months after graduation waiting to enter a police academy and obtain POST certification.
In contrast, ALETE graduates step off the stage fully certified and ready for immediate deployment, placing them ahead of the pack while qualifying them for regional agency incentives, including hiring bonuses and starting salary increases for holding a four-year degree.
“A 100 percent hiring rate among program graduates sends a clear message: law enforcement agencies are actively seeking qualified, college-educated candidates and are willing to hire them immediately upon program completion,” Watson noted. “Today’s law enforcement environment requires officers to navigate complex legal issues, engage with diverse communities, leverage technology and make sound decisions under pressure. College-educated officers are often viewed as better prepared for these challenges.”
This year’s class also highlighted the expanding partnership between the university and state public safety entities, particularly as the criminology program transitions into the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
This opens new avenues to integrate academic coursework with specialized certifications, applied public safety research and workforce development initiatives. By blending comprehensive university education with premier state training, the initiative establishes a seamless pathway for students.
While institutional figures highlighted the program’s strategic value, the true emotional heart of the day belonged to the individual cadets and the families who supported them. As graduates stood to recite the professional Oath of Honor, crossing the stage marked the fulfillment of a dream for many.
“When I watch these cadets walk across the stage, I don’t just see graduates receiving certificates,” Watson reflected. “I see future officers, deputies, investigators and public servants who are prepared to make a positive difference in their communities.”
Applications for future ALETE cohorts will reopen in Spring 2027. For more information about the program and application requirements, visit www.westga.edu/police/alete.
photography by Hailey Wilkinson