WKU Sociology & Criminology Alumni Profiles

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Jason Scott '14

Jason Scott provides some friendly advice for students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.  “Stay true to your passion!  But when others are out there enjoying college life, be very careful about what you fall into.  Students believe they are only in college once, so they try to experience different things such as drinking and drug use.  I caution against that because when a background check is done as part of your application for employment, these things often come out.  I have seen many potential hires be set aside due to bad choices they made that they didn’t think would follow them.” 

 

Jason graduated with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Criminology in 2014 and has been employed with the Bowling Green Police Department ever since.  He is currently a Captain and is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division.  “I really enjoy being a part of something that is bigger than myself.  Every day we come together as a team to go out and attempt to make the city a better place to live.  I also enjoy the career opportunities that the Bowling Green Police Department has to offer.  During my career I have been a Patrol Officer, a Police Training Officer, a Motor Officer, and a Detective with the Warren Co. Drug Task Force.  I am currently a Patrol Sergeant who recently completed a course making me a Police Motorcycle Instructor.” 

 

Reflecting back on his time in college, he writes, “Throughout my life, I always thought that I was going to pursue a career with the Kentucky State Police.  But then, after taking Major Bill Waltrip’s Law Enforcement class, I realized that I preferred to pursue a career with the BGPD.”  Although he didn’t do an internship, Jason applied for employment with the BGPD four months before graduation and was able to begin his job shortly after the semester ended.  “The memory that sticks out the most to me about being a part of the Sociology Department was when the late Dr. Bohlander took his class to see inside the walls of the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville Ky.  During that trip I was able to sit in the electric chair and observe the lethal injection chamber.  This trip gave me the chance to see what my life would be like if I became a Law Enforcement Officer.”