Grapevine-Colleyville ISD students get firsthand look at public safety jobs

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD high school students in the district’s career and technical education program participated in a one-week public safety camp where members of the Grapevine Police Department and Grapevine Fire Department shared what it’s like to perform various jobs.

The details

According to a district news release, the camp is for incoming juniors, seniors or 2024 graduates. Students learned about the following jobs:

• Jail operations
• Dispatch
• Crime scene and criminal investigations
• SWAT
• Fire and arson operations

In addition, the Grapevine Fire Department provided CPR training and certification to all attendees, according to the news release.

A closer look

Madilyn Carter, who graduated in May, said that she attended the camp because of her interest in criminology and psychology.

“To understand why people do the things they do and the science behind it is so unique,” Carter said. “It’s interesting because you don’t always get to know the answer, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Carter, who is attending the University of Arkansas in the fall, is planning on majoring in psychology and criminology. She said that she hopes to one day work in the fields of child exploitation and human trafficking.

What you need to know

According to the news release, GCISD CTE offers a public services program of study, which includes law enforcement, among other specializations. Some of the courses include:

• Principles of law, public safety, corrections and security
• Law enforcement 1 and 2
• Criminal investigations
• Forensic science
• Practicum in law, public safety, corrections and security

The news release states that CTE students can earn a CTE public service endorsement while still in high school.