As a St. Charles Community College Campus Police officer, Brandon Misher's day-to-day has changed a little bit over the last few months.
While students, faculty and staff have been working remotely due to COVID-19, Misher has continued to patrol campus to ensure its safety. He's also taken on some unexpected responsibilities.
“We have a great police department on campus that has stepped up to every change and challenge we have come across,” said Misher. “We are taking care of things other people can't right now - even feeding fish and watering plants!"
Misher has always had a passion for law enforcement and the chance to make a difference.
"Being able to go out and help people on a daily basis is something I've always wanted to do,” he said. “Law enforcement and criminal justice have always been interesting to me as far back as grade school."
In 2015, he decided to pursue his dream and enrolled in the law enforcement program at SCC. Shortly after, he got his first job in the field as a public safety officer and police dispatcher on campus while still taking classes. At the same time, Misher enrolled in the police academy.
"The classes I took at SCC and the time spent with Campus Police really gave me an advantage," he said. "I felt better prepared and ready to take on any challenge ahead of me." Misher believes the small classroom setting and professional, knowledgeable instructors at SCC provided him with a better learning environment than some of his counterparts. After graduation in 2019, Misher became an official police officer with SCC Campus Police.
“It's an honor to serve and protect the SCC community," Misher added. "I look forward to doing it for many years to come.”
The law enforcement associate degree program prepares individuals to perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.