UCF’s Criminal Justice Professional Track Launches Inaugural Graduate Directly into Law Enforcement

Highlights

• Latrell Sam-German is the first graduate from the professional track in UCF's bachelor's in criminal justice program.

• Students in the professional track graduate with the advantage of already having completed their state certification in law enforcement or corrections, allowing them to immediately jump into a professional career following their studies.

• Sam-German received a police academy sponsorship from the Orlando Police Department and has been in training full-time since December. He graduates from both the academy and UCF this week before moving into his first full week as a sworn officer.

When Latrell Sam-German graduated high school in 2021, he didn't have a detailed career plan - just a desire to do something that was bigger than him.

Fortunately for him, the possibilities in the realm of serving others are plentiful. He first thought of enlisting in the military, which would also provide the structure he was seeking. He even considered pursuing medicine, trade work or air traffic control.

It was ultimately that innate sense of purpose, coupled with mentorship, that introduced Sam-German to the world of law enforcement by way of UCF. Now on the brink of becoming the inaugural graduate of the bachelor's in criminal justice program's professional track, he's preparing to cross the commencement stage at Addition Financial Arena on Saturday.

But first, he'll spend today celebrating his graduation from the inaugural class of the Orlando Police Department's in-house academy.

Boldly Pursuing His Purpose

(Photo by Danielle Hendrix '15 '24MA)

Sam-German's foray into criminal justice began with candid discussions with both his uncle and best friend's brother, both of whom work for a police department in South Florida. The latter became his mentor.

"He took me under his wing and showed me the ins and outs of the career, getting me into the right mindset for the academy and what to expect," he says.

After completing his associate degree at Broward College, Sam-German transferred to UCF in 2024. Although he knew he wanted to pursue a bachelor's in criminal justice, it was an email about the program's new professional track from Associate Professor Cory Watkins that caught his attention.

Housed in the College of Community Innovation and Education, the professional track allows students to graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a certificate in criminal justice management and leadership - plus state certification in law enforcement or corrections, acquired through internship experiences like officer academies.

"Being able to graduate UCF and academy at the same time was definitely the biggest draw for me," he says. "It's like knocking out two birds with one stone. The opportunity to complete the academy in my last semester as my internship, get my degree and walk out with a job is huge."

"The opportunity to complete the academy in my last semester as my internship, get my degree and walk out with a job is huge." - Latrell Sam-German, student

In the professional track, he had the opportunity to go on ride-alongs with three agencies - Orange and Osceola County Sheriff's offices, and Orlando Police Department (OPD). He spent the next year and a half juggling his coursework with the various career fairs and networking opportunities that Watkins passed along. All the while, his eyes remained locked on the goal of landing an academy sponsorship for his final semester.

In early Fall 2025, he interviewed with OPD and passed the physical abilities test. He knew his commitment to networking had paid off when his recruiting lieutenant and sergeant remembered him from a spring career summit.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Sam-German got the call he'd been hoping for: OPD had offered him an academy sponsorship.

Training for Impact

Since early December, Sam-German has attended OPD's in-house academy full-time as his required internship. The rigorous experience consists of intensive training in law enforcement policies and procedures, physical training and defense tactics. That includes five consecutive weeks of high-liability training with firearms, first aid and driving patrol cars.

"It's very paramilitary," he says. "Every day we have to shine our boots, iron our clothes, make sure everything is up to par and come ready. It's essentially changing our point of view from the civilian mindset to an officer mindset. We've learned to watch our surroundings, never be complacent, know policy and rules, and know when to apply them."

"Our job is public service, and we're there to help. I really wanted to do something that was bigger than me, and I think this is one of the best occupations to fulfill that." - Latrell Sam-German, student

When all is said and done, he will have completed 772 hours of training that concludes at the culmination of his first week as a sworn officer. In mid-May, he'll begin field service alongside a field training officer.

Right now, he's most looking forward to learning about community patrol.

"I have always been interested in getting out there in community, speaking with people, learning a city's cultural fabric and how I can help," he says. "My biggest focus right now is to be great in patrol because sometimes people just need somebody to talk to. After all, our job is public service, and we're there to help. I really wanted to do something that was bigger than me, and I think this is one of the best occupations to fulfill that."

Persistence That Delivers

The fact that he's about to cross the finish line won't hit him until he puts on the cap and gown - and the official OPD officer uniform. But Sam-German is already reflecting on how quickly his time at UCF has gone by, and how the decision to pursue the professional track helped launch his career trajectory.

That's thanks in large part, he says, to the faculty who have helped foster connections and provided opportunities to explore different career paths.

"My professors have been great," he says. "Many of them are retired law enforcement who came over to UCF and can speak about the career and what to expect. Being able to come straight from college into the academy has given me the upper hand because a lot of what we talked about in class now pertains to my police academy experience."

"Being able to come straight from college into the academy has given me the upper hand because a lot of what we talked about in class now pertains to my police academy experience." - Latrell Sam-German, student

Sam-German's story is exactly what Watkins hopes to see for years to come - more graduates like him who will go on to impact change in the criminal justice system.

"Working with and assisting Latrell along his professional journey is exciting, fulfilling and a testament to the work of many," he says. "Developing and promoting the professional track has taken many years and considerable work with our police and correctional professionals in and around Central Florida."

Department of Criminal Justice Professor and Chair Gene Paoline adds that the program was intentionally designed to be mutually beneficial to students and law enforcement agencies in reinforcing the workforce pipeline.

"The professional track is our department's way to give back to the surrounding law enforcement and correctional community in the form of producing high-quality, motivated and practitioner-ready students like Latrell," Paoline says.

As he prepares to reap both the academic and professional rewards of his work, Sam-German also finds personal reward in having become someone his classmates turn to for advice as they consider pursuing the professional track. He tells them that if they're willing to put the work in, good things will happen.

"I don't think it was luck; it was the result of hard work," he says of his success. "It's really about not being afraid to put yourself out there and talk to these agencies, even when it can feel intimidating. That door is going to open. You just have to step through it."

More Topics

College of Community Innovation and Education Commencement Department of Criminal Justice

UCF Grad's Mission to Build Pipeline of Young Innovators

Inclusive Education Services Student Leverages College Experience in Forging Path Toward Independence

A Family's Unlikely Journey to Become Knights

UCF's Spring 2026 Commencement Set for May 8-9

UCFPD Welcomes 2 New Officers, Announces Promotions

Lifelong Knight Fred Kittinger '80 Retires, Leaving Legacy of Collaboration and Growth

UCF Recognizes Faculty Excellence With 2026 Promotion and Tenure Awards

5 Unique Funds to Support on UCF Day of Giving