By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Karlee Campbell responded to every challenge with positivity during her training at Oakland Community College Police Academy, performing to the best of her ability and earning her the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award. 

The 27-year-old ranked 27th in her class with a 92.7 percent overall grade point average. She was selected for the award from among 21 non-sponsored cadets in the June 1, 2023 graduating class of 56 cadets.

“Karlee was an extremely hard-working student with a great attitude and sense of humor,” said Oakland Police Academy Director David Ceci. “She never let anything get her down, rose to every challenge, and was always very open to receiving criticism to help her improve and grow.” 

The $500 Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award, sponsored by the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC), is given twice yearly at the discretion of the police academy to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency. To qualify for the Award, 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.

Campbell attended Utah State University and transferred to Oakland Community College (OCC) after researching police academies. She received her associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from OCC and praised Director Ceci as the main reason she chose to attend Oakland Community College Police Academy.

“Getting to work with Director Ceci, he is honestly one of the best people I have ever met,” she said. "After I met with him for two minutes, he blew my mind. I said, ‘I’ve got to go here,’ and I was not disappointed at all. He has to be the best academy director in Michigan."

In June, Campbell began working for the Royal Oak Police Department, which has two units represented by the POLC – Command and Detectives. Money was tight in the beginning and her Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award along with receiving the $2,000 Stephen Thomas First Responders Scholarship from the Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union made a big difference.

"I had some money left on my loans for the police academy. I actually had the exact amount that was left to pay off my loans from both scholarships, so it was just amazing,” Campbell said. "I had no idea about the Weiler Scholarship Award or that I was going to get either of the scholarships. Just having that money to get through and finish my field training (with Royal Oak PD) was a lifesaver."