By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Newly hired Farmington Hills Police Officer Joe Benson is extremely grateful for his $500 Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award after paying his way through the Wayne County Regional Police Training Academy (WCRPTA).

“I just want to say a big thank you to the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) for the support they give to the academy and all the recruits and I just really want to share my appreciation of the opportunity to receive the Weiler Scholarship Award,” he said.

The 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.  

Benson, 29, immediately launched his law enforcement career Nov. 13, 2023, a few days after completing the academy. He was well-prepared, building on his four years of Marine Corps Infantry service (2014-2018) and following the lead of his older brother, Grosse Isle Police Sgt.  A.J. Benson. A law enforcement officer for over a decade, A.J. began his career as a POLC-represented Taylor Police Reserve Officer.

“I’ve always followed in my brother’s footsteps growing up. He has always been a role model and mentor for me,” Benson said. “He was diagnosed with cancer when he was 14, so having the feeling of losing my big bother terrified me. I really latched onto him after that.”

Benson was one of 15 non-sponsored recruits in the WCRPTA graduating class of 60 cadets on Nov. 9. He graduated with a 3.8 GPA and was the top scoring recruit in Defensive Tactics, successfully completing a blindfolded takedown and handcuffing timed drill. Benson served as a Sergeant and Lieutenant for his class before his classmates voted him in as their Captain the last four weeks of the academy. 

“I asked some of my classmates why they voted for me. I think it’s just the way I present myself,” Benson said. “I’m very approachable. I’m a very humble and very down-to-earth person.”

WCRPTA Director Fred Stanton said Benson was chosen for the Weiler Scholarship Award based on “His hard work, communication skills, leadership skills, and his ability to get along with others.”

He also received the Wayne County Chiefs of Police Association Chiefs Award ($500); Nehasil Award ($500) in honor of fallen Livonia Police Officer Larry Nehasil (EOW Jan. 17, 2011); and Stephen Thomas First Responders Scholarship, sponsored by Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union ($2,000). 

“I was shocked and surprised. They didn’t tell us who won any of the awards and it took me a second to process everything when they said my name,” Benson said. “I was greatly appreciative of receiving the awards. This will definitely help backfill financially when I was not getting paid during the academy. It will help ease that burden with the family.”