The New Castle Career Center recently launched a new Criminal Justice Program for the 2022-2023 school year. 

There are 13 students enrolled for this inaugural year of the program. During their enrollment, students will be learning about criminology, law enforcement, and police operations. They will also have the opportunity to job shadow, take educational field trips, and listen to guest speakers. The second-year students for the 2023-24 school year will participate in work-based learning.  

Program instructor Don Showalter is a graduate of New Castle High School and Vincennes University. He has an extensive background in criminal justice, working with the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Mooreland & Knightstown Police Departments, Indiana Department of Corrections, and Emergency Management, and acting as Guard Chief and Training Chief of a Marine Corps security forces overseas. While in the Marine Corps, he also worked in counter-terrorism operations.

Mr. Showalter is eager to teach and guide his students in this career path. 

“Most people have the misconception that law enforcement officers are what they see on television. My goal is for the students to realize that most crimes are not solved in an hour.” 

He also wants to introduce them to the different professions in the Criminal Justice Field; stating, “most people only think about the local police officers and sheriff’s deputies. There are a vast amount of career opportunities in Criminal Justice.”

Upon completion of this course, students will graduate with 6 college credits from Vincennes University. The students will also have the following certificates this year:  CPR, Stop-the-Bleed, Incident Command 100 and 200 (Federal FEMA courses required of all first responders), and Introduction to Radiological/Nuclear Weapons of Mass Destruction for Law Enforcement (Federal Course offered by Counter Terrorism Operation Support in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security). 

For more information regarding the New Castle Career Center, and the programs they offer, follow the New Castle Career Center on Facebook, visit their website at nccareercenter.org, or call them at (765) 593-6680.