WKU Sociology & Criminology Alumni Profiles

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Brad Hogue '13

Brad Hogue has a great deal of wisdom to share with current and future WKU students who hope to work in the criminal justice field. 

 

“I have two pieces of advice for college students who aspire to work in policing. The first is to not settle for any department. Do your research and make sure that the culture of the department is what you want to be part of and that it is made up of people whom you want to associate with. Policing is about relationships and who you work with will have great influence on your career and life. The second piece of advice is to not be discouraged by failure. You might be passed over by the agency that you want to work for multiple times but keep moving forward. Take failure as an opportunity for improvement and keep working to make it difficult to be turned down the next time.” 

 

Brad graduated in 2013 from WKU with a major in Criminology and a minor in Sociology.  He began college in 2003 and a few years into his undergraduate degree, he took an internship at the Bowling Green Police Department.  This turned into a full-time job offer, which he accepted at the start of his senior year.  It took him six years to finish his last two semesters while working full-time, but he successfully did so.  He was especially grateful for the encouragement and support of his professors.  “I cannot say enough positive about the Department of Sociology. My experience within this department helped me grow into a responsible adult and set my career on course. I finished my degree while working as a midnight shift patrol officer and my professors could not have been better to work with. Dr. Kanan and the late Dr. Bohlander were instrumental in laying the foundation for the success that I have found in my career and further education.”

 

As a Master Police Officer currently working as a patrol Sergeant with the BGPD for more than a decade, Brad reflects on what he most values about his career. 

 

“The most enjoyable aspect about working for the City of Bowling Green is the relationships that are formed. I am blessed to work with an outstanding group of people that have all grown into good, close friends. The most positive aspect about BGPD is that when a citizen calls the police, they can rest assured that a good person is going to respond to their complaint.

 

It’s also not just about BGPD, the City of Bowling Green is a great place to work as we are all one team. All of the city departments work well together and are committed to providing the best service possible to our citizens.

 

I have also been very blessed to serve a diverse community that has allowed me to grow as a person through the relationships that I have formed within my patrol districts. Everyday has provided a new opportunity for learning and getting to know people. I have formed many friendships with people whom I have met while on patrol.”