Letter To Editor
It has been a while, but I still remember the first time meeting Nicholas Petitgout. It was during Freshmen Orientation. He said “Sir, I have a question.” I thought to myself this guy does not look or speak like a freshman. He responded “Sir, for the last five years I have been serving our country at home and abroad in the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. Now I want to serve my community as a Police Officer.”
He then asked, “Why is this WIU LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM so highly rated?” I answered his question by saying that is not an easy question to answer, but first I must tell you what this program is not. This program is Not a HANDCUFFS 101 class lasting a few weeks, rather it is a comprehensive four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and beyond if one would want. The short hand title is L.E.J.A. which is for LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATION. It is an in-depth study of laws, how they are enforced, what is justice for both the offender and the offended, and how these principles of law are administered. Education is imperative for good policing.
A few years later I met a Macomb school teacher who told me that she didn’t remember meeting Mr. Petitgout or talking with him and wasn’t even sure what he looked like, but for sure she would vote for him. I asked why? She said “I have had both of his kids in class. They were, respectful, polite, well-behaved, eager to learn and truly a joy to have in class. She then asked me “Where do you think they learned that?”
There are 102 counties in Illinois, accordingly, there are a 102 Sheriffs in Illinois. They have come together to form the Illinois Sheriffs Association. These elected officials are responsible for law enforcement, court security, and jail management. Recently these Sheriffs voted for McDonough’s own sheriff, Sheriff Petitgout to be their president.
Let’s continue to call him our Sheriff for the next four years!
Stan Cunningham, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Western Illinois University
