‘Quiet leader’ following in his father’s footsteps honored with Weiler Award

— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award recipient James Smith put his full effort into doing well at the Wayne County Regional Police Training Academy (WCRPTA), leading fellow cadets the most effective way possible.

“He’s a quiet leader. He leads by example,” said WCRPTA Director Anthony Mencotti. “He works extremely hard and has a very good attitude. He gets along extremely well with his classmates. He was selected for his overall work ethic and is very modest.”

Smith, 22, was chosen for the honor from among nine pre-service cadets in a May 18, 2023 graduating class of 53 cadets, including 44 who were agency sponsored.

“I’m very thankful. I was super surprised,” Smith said. “It was pretty shocking and a really great honor that I was the one that got it.”

The $500 Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award, which is sponsored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC), is given twice yearly at the discretion of the college police academy to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency. To qualify, cadets must pass the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certification test and meet MCOLES employment standards to become certified Michigan Law Enforcement Officers.

In a letter of appreciation to the POLC, Smith wrote: “Thank you so much for the recognition and the award of the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship. I take pride in my academics and am thankful for your recognition of such. I had no idea scholarships like this existed, but I am honored to have received this and was a little overwhelmed when I was called up on the stage at graduation. Thank you so much for the work and support you give to the academy recruits and to law enforcement overall.”

He’s following in his father’s footsteps, James Smith (senior), a Wayne County Sheriff’s Lieutenant. The younger Smith earned a 3.9 GPA in the academy. “He was a Lieutenant that was in charge of a platoon for

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continued from page 6 perience at a school in my life,” Afrin said. “I’m graduating Mott with a 4.0 (GPA). I worked very, very hard.”

She’s applying for law enforcement jobs in high crime areas. “I’m older and I have really good communication skills. I understand a lot of diverse groups and people that don’t have a lot of money, in areas with higher crimes, have always interested me,” she said.

Growing up in a family that struggled financially, Afrin pushed through a lot of obstacles to complete the academy. “I have four small children and I had to take extra classes to join the academy,” she said. “It was a struggle, but I got through it with the help of my ex-husband and my family. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. I had to work every weekend I was going to the academy.”

Afrin has worked as an Eastpointe Police Service Aide for the past year. “It’s opened my eyes to a lot of things in law enforcement. It’s really what made me want to become a police officer,” she said. “My ex- weeks four through eight,” Mencotti said. “He’s also the Kehrl Academic Excellence Award ($300) recipient for pre-service recruits.”

Smith obtained a Criminal Justice associate’s degree from Schoolcraft Community College and was sworn in as a Redford Police Officer May 30.

“I’m planning to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice right after FTO,” he said. “I’m pursuing that because it’s related to my job, but also I want to make going federal an option. If I like police work, I’ll stay there.”

Mencotti noted Smith also plans to go into the military. “I have a lot I want to achieve,” Smith said. “I do want to try and pursue the military. That will probably occur after my bachelor’s degree. I’d like to get security clearance and then go into the DEA. The Weiler Award is definitely going to help financial-wise and to use on my resume. Receiving that great award (helps me) moving forward with what I want to do, especially going federal.” d husband is a police officer as well. I just loved his stories and I wanted to be in his position. I realized I needed to go back to school for myself and show my kids you can do it.” d