SEMO STUDENTS HOLD CRIMINAL JUSTICE DAY

About 300 students, most of whom hope to land jobs in criminal justice, participated Wednesday in Southeast Missouri State University's 24th annual Criminal Justice Day.

Representatives from 23 federal, state and local criminal justice agencies attended the 24th annual event sponsored by the university's Criminal Justice Association at the University Center.

Booths were set up and information was provided about each of the agencies.

"We want to give students the opportunity to make connections that they might need after they graduate," said Lynda Morthland, vice president of the 90-member association. "A lot of those here today are hiring, and it's a good chance to be seen," she said.

Senior Thom Tomlinson, 28, a criminal justice major, said he is undecided about what he wants to do after graduation. He said such events will help him make up his mind.

"This is an excellent chance to gather information about several agencies," he said. "These are knowledgeable people from across the spectrum."

Tomlinson said he hoped to have questions about salary, retirement and other benefits answered by people who know.

Stephen Oliver, an officer with the Memphis Police Department, said it is getting harder to find qualified job candidates. Rather than lower standards, Oliver said his department is willing to travel farther to recruit.

He said he hopes that misconceptions about police salary and public perception will help get more people interested in law enforcement.

"I love policing," Oliver said. "We've gone a long way from the Officer Friendly perception, but I want to get back to that."

Dr. Alvin Transeau, an assistant professor in the criminal justice department of the university is also the club's adviser. He said it takes a special kind of person to want to go into the criminal justice field.

"It's a dangerous field," Transeau said. "More police officers get shot on routine traffic stops than in any other situation."

"If we have any sense of decency at all, we get a sense of satisfaction by helping people," he said. "That's what cops do."

The association is comprised of students from different majors who are interested in the criminal justice field. The club has grown from 30 members last year at this time to 90 members.