WKU Sociology & Criminology Alumni Profiles
Robert Hansen '04 '06
Robert Hansen is currently an Assistant Chief assigned to Logistics and Research at the Bowling Green Police Department. During his first semester at WKU in 1996, Robert joined the BGPD Explorer program. This program led to a part-time position as a Cadet, beginning in January of 1997. He also completed an internship alongside this training. Upon reaching the age of 21, he applied to become a police officer and was hired on in the Spring of 2000. Robert took three semesters off from his undergraduate studies to complete the Police Academy and focus on learning his new job. He then returned to WKU as a part-time student in the Fall of 2001, graduating with a major in Political Science and minor in Criminology in the Spring of 2004. He took the summer off, but immediately started work on a Master’s degree the following semester, graduating in the Fall of 2006 with an MPA. Reflecting on his lengthy career with the BGPD, he notes,
“There are many opportunities for personal and professional growth at the Bowling Green Police Department. Being a patrol officer is one of the most amazing jobs anywhere. However, the BGPD offers countless other opportunities for officers to serve in more advanced and specialized ways. Some examples of the extra assignment opportunities BGPD offers include: Detective, Advanced Crime Scene Processor, Collision Reconstructionist, Motorcycle Officer, Critical Response Team (SWAT), our new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program, as well as many opportunities to teach and instruct fellow officers (firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, police training officer). Any officer who embraces the values of the organization (service, integrity and respect) and is willing to work hard will have an amazing career here.”
His advice to students:
“Take advantage of any time you have while you are an undergraduate to really get out there and experience what you can about your potential career path. If you are interested in being a police officer, don’t just watch “Live PD” and police procedurals on TV and assume that is what life will be like; complete internships for college credit, take police ride alongs, join a Citizens Police Academy. If you are looking for a great part time job opportunity in law enforcement, check out the Cadet Program at the BGPD. Do whatever it takes to get your boots on the ground. Doing this will broaden your understanding of the career and also help bring life to what you are learning in the classroom.”
Finally, thinking back on his time in the Sociology and Criminology Department, Robert writes,
“It was a tremendous opportunity to be a young undergraduate taking Criminology classes and also a BGPD cadet. Rather than simply studying hard, making good grades and waiting to use the knowledge I learned until I had a job, I was able to immediately apply what I was learning in the classroom. While participating in police ride alongs and interacting with crime victims as a cadet I was able to observe and experience the sociological theories and ideas professed by Dr. Faine, Dr. Kanan and Dr. Bohlander. My job as a cadet made me a better student, but most importantly, my experience as a student made me a better cadet, and later a better police officer.”
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