By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA) graduate Jonathan Foerster was interested in policing from a young age, but it wasn’t until high school that he knew it was the career for him. Foerster was honored with the Collin Birnie Scholarship Award during the academy graduation ceremony.

He was the only pre-service cadet among the 12 who graduated from the Charles Stewart Mott Community College LERTA Academy Session 28 on May 7, 2026. “I’m in the process of interviewing with several different police departments,” Foerster said.

The $500 Collin Birnie Scholarship Award, which is sponsored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC), is named in honor of the fallen POLC Executive Committee member. It’s given twice yearly at the discretion of the police academy. Qualifying 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.

“It means a lot hearing (Birnie’s) daughters that presented the award — hearing the message about their father and hearing the values he stood for,” Foerster said. “I was honored to receive it, and it also pushes me to want to live up to those values. Those are values that I share — they struck a chord with me. It’s something that will continue with me as I enter my career as a law enforcement officer.”

“(The Birnie Award) will help me make this transition toward being a law enforcement officer and providing any equipment that I need to help service my community,” he said.

The 25-year-old graduated with an 89.3 percentile from the academy. “Jonathan Foerster’s selection for the Collin Birnie Award is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of his exceptional dedication, professionalism, and academic excellence throughout his time in the Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA),” said LERTA Director Eric Rodgers. “Being selected for this prestigious award speaks to his outstanding work ethic, commitment to learning, and strong potential for success in the law enforcement profession.”

“In addition to successfully graduating from the LERTA program, Jonathan also earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice (from Mott Community College), further demonstrating his commitment to personal and professional development,” Rodgers said. “We are extremely proud of his achievements and confident that he will represent both the academy and the law enforcement profession with distinction throughout his career. Way to go, Jonathan!!! We are proud of you!”

While his older brother, Josh, served in the United States Marines Corps for 4 years, Foerster’s decision to pursue law enforcement was based on his personal experiences.

“Honestly, it was something I kind of picked up an interest for as a young kid. I was probably about 5 (years old) or so when I went to New York City with my mom, and I remember seeing the NYPD police cars, but I never really viewed it as a career path until high school when we had a Deputy from Genesee County come to one of my law classes as a guest speaker,” he said. “He drove home for me what it took to be a police officer — serving the community, going out to help others. That is what set me down this path I find myself on today.”

Forester’s interests led him to take business law in high school. “I’ve always had an interest in law. Maybe if I wasn’t a police officer, I would have gone into some sort of field that involved law, like a lawyer,” he said. “I’m also somebody that likes to work with their hands and go out and be proactive and help others. Being an officer struck me … (as to) how I wanted to give back to my community.”

LERTA instilled in him the comradery that comes with being a member of the law enforcement profession. 

“(The academy) teaches you a lot. We are part of a family and a team and I want to give a shout-out to my LERTA fellow (Academy Session) 28 graduates that I’m proud of every single one of them, and I’m honored to serve and protect our communities together,” said Foerster, adding, “I’m thankful for my (immediate) family for supporting me through this process. I wouldn’t be here without them.”