A Rich History: SVC’s Law Enforcement Academy

By S.N. Boreham

The Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP) is a national program that consists of a minimum of 650 classroom hours and prepares students to become law enforcement rangers for the National Park Service. There are only 7 locations scattered across the country in which a person can attend a law enforcement academy, and SVC has the honor of being home to one of these.

After a lengthy 17-week course and approximately 720 hours completed, SVC students taking part in the program will graduate prepared to start careers as park rangers. Former Academy Director Bill Overby described the course as a “police academy with a natural and cultural… emphasis taught on a community college campus…”

It all began in the mid 1970’s when there was a demand for visitor and resource protection in parks across the country. The program was formed in Georgia in 1978 and spread throughout the United States’ many national and state parks. It professionalized services and security and created a more controlled environment. In Washington State, the program was originally located in Everett, but Skagit willingly and enthusiastically took it on in the late 80’s. It has been here ever since and has thrived in it’s strategic location; the PNW made the perfect hub to provide one of the law enforcement academies.

This vital program has become a sort of survivor after it was drastically reduced from 22 to 13 academies, and now has dropped down to only 7. E-learning classes played a large role in keeping the program alive and has helped to “put Skagit [Valley College] on the map”. Today, the program is unique in that it has attracted a wide variety of students. There are people from all over the country, ex military, people with doctorates, single moms, and many other individuals with diverse backgrounds, but a common interest in the land and law enforcement.

This program has existed for 29 years and in that time, nearly 1000 graduates have completed the course. Just recently, on April 25, a new group of dedicated students graduated from the academy here at SVC. Their hard worked paid off and they are now able to either further their education or begin careers in the Parks Services.

At the head of this program, Bill Overby, the Academy Commander since 2001, has worked with his team to guide these students through the course. His wife, Tee Davis Overby, is the Academy Assistant and his “cohort in crime”, Terry Edwards, is the legal instructor. Overby commented on how he couldn’t have done this without the help of the afore mentioned and the many, many others that have been involved in helping the academy run smoothly. Now, after many years at SVC, Overby has retired and is passing the job along to the new Academy Director, Rick Mossman. Mossman begins honor on June 1 and has plenty of experience after his long career with the National Parks Service.