Christian Rivas wanted real-life experience in law enforcement before he sought to attain his long-time goal of teaching college-level criminal justice. He was able to get that experience at the Great Bend Police Department (GBPD) and now is the instructor/coordinator for the Criminal Justice Program at Barton Community College. “I am grateful to the police department for the opportunity to be part of the real world of law enforcement,” said Rivas, a long-time Great Bend resident. “I am so fortunate they were willing to invest in me even though everyone knew my ultimate goal was to teach. I know the value of education and want to give back to students.” Rivas retains his law-enforcement commission as a part-time officer and is credentialed as a hostage-crisis negotiator Level I. He teaches 20 students in four classes at Barton while coordinating the program.
Source: Barton Community College
