Local businesses are stepping up to enhance the realism of training for future law enforcement and emergency medical services professionals at Polk State College. Through generous vehicle donations, organizations like A&E Auto Body Inc., based near Winter Haven in Eagle Lake, are making a significant impact on the practical education of cadets. These donations provide invaluable resources for hands-on learning experiences.
The Polk State Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety recently received a Chevy 3500 van from Rick’s Bar-B-Q of Winter Haven and a Nissan Sentra along with a truck bed from A&E Auto Body Inc. of Eagle Lake. Bolton’s Towing Service of Winter Haven further supported this initiative by providing complimentary towing services to transport the vehicles to the Polk State Center for Public Safety. These donations are now integral to the training simulations for Law Enforcement Academy cadets, allowing them to practice real-world scenarios such as traffic stops and accident responses with everyday vehicles.
Academy Cadet Colt Black highlighted the increased realism, noting, “It’s more realistic approaching an every-day vehicle rather than another police car because you can figure out where your blind spots are and where a possible weapon can be hidden.” This sentiment was echoed by fellow cadet Russell Klingler, who emphasized the importance of training with diverse vehicle types, including vans, which present unique challenges in real-world policing. “Approaching a van is scary – you can’t see in and someone can hop out of the back. The van allows us to practice those different scenarios and teaches us to be alert to all of those possibilities,” Klingler explained. The Nissan Sentra, a common vehicle on the roads, further enhances the training by providing cadets with experience in typical traffic stop situations.
These donated vehicles are not only beneficial for law enforcement training but also for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) students. EMS students will utilize the vehicles to hone their life-saving techniques in simulated emergency scenarios, further broadening the impact of these community contributions. Don Guillette, EMS Program Director, emphasized the significance of these donations, stating, “These donations enable the EMS and Criminal Justice programs to enhance their training and bring more ‘realism’ to educating our students.”
The acquisition of these valuable training tools was facilitated by Don Guillette, leveraging his community connections. His long-standing friendship with Michael Arrington, owner of A&E Auto Body, a reputable a e auto repair winter haven fl area business (located in nearby Eagle Lake), played a crucial role in securing the Nissan Sentra and truck bed. Guillette also recognized an opportunity when he noticed Rick’s Bar-B-Q had a van for sale, leading to the donation of the Chevy 3500.
“I’m grateful to have friends who step up to not only help Polk State, but to also help the community at large,” Guillette concluded. The generosity of local businesses, including a e auto repair winter haven fl service providers like A&E Auto Body, directly strengthens the training and preparedness of future public safety professionals serving the Winter Haven and surrounding communities. Their contributions are instrumental in providing Polk State College students with the most realistic and effective training possible.
