CLC criminal justice team among top national finishers
The Central Lakes College chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association won 12 trophies and came within points of a national championship at the recent ACJA competition.
The Sigma Delta chapter from CLC took a contingent of 16, including instructors Terry Fairbanks and David Stumpf, to the Sacramento, Calif., convention, which more than 300 involved with law enforcement training attended.
"This was our eighth year at the nationals," said Fairbanks, coordinator of the criminal justice program at CLC. "The most trophies we ever won before was three. I am just so proud of this group that is so motivated and dedicated."
CLC was just a few points behind Central Missouri State University for the Sweepstakes Award given to the college or university amassing the highest score based on the accumulation of hardware.
Others contending were Kent State University, the University of Florida, Purdue University and San Diego State University. More than 60 schools, a majority of which are four-year institutions, participated.
Stumpf , of Little Falls, has always done well in the criminal law category among professionals in national competition. This year he finished second but put together high finishes for the overall Academic Award -- a first for any CLC entrant. He won the corrections division and placed third in police management.
Student John Ruby of Staples grabbed a first-place trophy for CLC, winning the corrections competition among students who have earned 60 or fewer credits in law enforcement studies. He added runner-up trophies in firearms and criminal law.
Other individual trophy winners were Tim Moe, a 38-year-old CLC student who decided to switch professions. The retired electrician from Brainerd showed his stuff by winning the male 36-over physical agility competition.
Team trophies went to the following:
* Second place in firearms among professionals for Fairbanks, Eric Stangler and Ruby. Stangler was a deadeye shooter for CLC before graduating. He is now a member of the Crosby Police Department. Rules allow students such as Ruby to join a majority professional team.
* Second place in firearms among competitors with more than 60 credits earned in the criminal justice studies for CLC club president Cody Peterson, Adam Kronstedt and Jake Nygren, all of Brainerd.
* Third place in firearms among students with 60 or fewer credits of education for the team of Jake Maier of Merrifield, and Brian Madison and Tim Moe, both of Brainerd.
* Third place in the professional division of crime scene investigation for Stangler, Nygren and Cindy Moe, an English composition instructor and wife of Tim Moe. Guest members are eligible as long as a majority on the team are active law enforcement officials.