By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Oakland Police Academy graduate Joseph Phelps spent nearly a decade in the military when he decided he wanted to change course. He’s off to an impressive start, receiving the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award for his overall performance in the academy.

Phelps was selected for the honor from among 18 pre-service cadets in a graduating class of 54 cadets. The Weiler Scholarship Award was presented to him during the academy graduation on Dec. 13, 2024.

The 32-year-old finished the academy with a 93.63 percentile. Phelps also received an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts – General Studies from Oakland Community College. 

“Cadet Phelps received the award for his overall performance on written tests, defensive tactics and firearms,” said Oakland Community College Police Academy Director David Ceci. 

The $500 Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award, sponsored by the POLC, is awarded twice yearly at the discretion of the college police academy to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency. 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.

His career path after serving in the military originally didn’t involve law enforcement.

“I was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps for 9 years. I went to Kuwait,” Phelps said of his 7-month deployment. “Initially, I got out of the Marine Corps and I was done with wearing a uniform and I was done with the structured environment.”

He decided to pursue an engineering degree at Washtenaw Community College, but after nearly 2 years, the rigorous studies coupled with the birth of his daughter in the spring of 2024 made him rethink his career plans.

“When I went to school, I said, ‘I’m going to use my brain and I’m not going to be a foot pounder my whole life,’” however, Phelps said, “I had my daughter and I was hitting a point where I wasn’t able to do 9 hours of studying every day. There was something inside me that made me realize I need to keep serving. I’m good at it and I like that kind of work. (Service) is something I cannot get away from.”

He didn’t want to return to the military though, because he knew that lifestyle could be difficult for his young family.

“She was born in April 2024 and I started the police academy in August,” Phelps said. “Law enforcement is stable. If I want to do 25 years, I wanted to do it in the same spot. In the military, you’re deployed here and there. You’re just all over the place. It’s almost more pain than it is good (for families).”

He was surprised to receive the Weiler Award and thankful for the recognition and the funds at a time when money was tight.

“It means everything. I didn’t even know I was possibly nominated," Phelps said. "I think I worked hard and receiving a scholarship is just that confirmation from someone else that ‘you did well, thank you.' It’s a true honor.” 

Phelps credits his fiancée, Mandy Hummel, for supporting him through the long days and nights of police academy training, while caring for a baby. 

“My girlfriend worked while I went to the academy, so we did OK. She was the real driving factor that got me through this,” he said. “I’d leave at 6 a.m. every day and most days I wasn’t getting home until 7 at night and some nights I was not home until midnight. Doing that with a newborn baby was tough at points.”

Immediately following graduation, he was in the process of being hired by the White Lake Township Police Department. He credits Oakland Police Academy for preparing him well. 

“I can’t speak highly enough of the academy. From the Director down to his staff, they’re all there for the right reasons. They are there to set an example of what police leadership needs to be,” Phelps said. “No matter what the issue is, big or small, their philosophy was ‘we’ll take it together.’ I just want to thank the academy staff. They were just there for everyone and they tried their hardest to make it the best experience they could.”