New foundation offers enhanced police training and education in the near term and long term

The finest stories of advancing our world and shaping its course are always about people and the dreams they bring to reality through purpose of heart and energy driven by caring compassion and generosity. Southington has it more than abundant share of stories of such otherwise ordinary takeholders in our community.  Here's one more. 

At a Southington Town Council meeting of December 7^th, Councilor Edward S. Pocock III announced the recent launching of a 501 (c) (3) non-profit foundation, named the J. Allen Lamb & Edward S. Pocock III, (JAL&ESP3) Foundation, developed by Southington’s late J. Allen Lamb in close collaboration with Pocock in the years prior to Lamb’s death in October 2013 at the age of 64.  

The foundation’s objectives are focused on sponsoring enhanced law enforcement professional development and practices through the supply of equipment, training and formal education. The multi-dimensional program offers formal education for current and future command officers who will benefit from the Southern Police Institute’s (SPI) sponsorship of Command Officer Development Courses (CODC), both within New England and at SPI’s flagship Administrator Officers Course (AOC) held at the University of Louisville.  

“We are convinced that the University of Louisville leads the way in educating future young police officers in the latest practices. It is virtually an Air Force Academy of law enforcement, with its own section, SPI, dedicated to police education. Scholarships will allow students to become part of the SPI fabric as they gain important insights into the issues facing command officers in today’s world, while allowing them to have one of the best campus experiences in the United States.”, Pocock said. 

The Foundation is a long-term commitment. “Our ultimate objective is to have our criminal justice scholars become police officers, progress in their law enforcement careers and then seek a command scholarship after being in the trade for a while. Think of the programs as bookends on a bookshelf, the left side representing our kids, the right representing police commanders with the books in between representing the time it will take us to reach our objective.  When those two meet, we will have come full circle.” Pocock said.

To accomplish the end goal, JAL&ESP3 supports both ends of the book shelf scenario. “A

four-year scholarship of up to $44,000 for graduating seniors to obtain their criminal justice bachelor’s degree at the University of Louisville, while interning at SPI for up to 10 hours per week, will blend law enforcement hopefuls with the best and brightest in police command with SPI at the U of L, the logical place for our scholars.” Pocock said.

Current and future command officers will also benefit from the Foundation’s sponsorship of Command Officer Development Courses within New England as well at SPI’s flagship AOC at the University of Louisville. “We anticipate training  42 to 60 command officers each year beginning in 2016. For those up to the challenges, the Foundation will also offer full tuition, housing and fees paid for a New England officer attending SPI's AOC with a cohort in the spring and one in the fall.” Pocock added.

“Our commitment is long term, with a current annual budget of $95,000. As we progress, we expect to increase that to $120-135 thousand dollars through investment revenue to round out our giving portfolio.” Pocock said.

J. Allen Lamb

Pocock speaks with the greatest admiration for J. Allen Lamb, an accomplished leader, president, CEO and co-owner of a number of successful enterprises such as System Aire Supply Co. and Myjak & Lamb Property Management, both in Plantsville, and Control Aire Supply Co. Never actually a police officer, Lamb was a longtime supporter and friend of the Southington Police Department and a longtime member of the Southington Rifle Club .  “His passion was in helping others, needy children, future business leaders.” Pocock said. He devoted time and supported the work of Vocational Industry Clubs of America (VICA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). An accomplished pilot, Allen enjoyed his passion for flying his Warrior on weekends. 

Capt, Edward S. Pocock, III

The importance of this new foundation should be evident to anyone aware of the news of the times. It is a vital step, though only one is an enhanced future of law enforcement, police officers and society in general.  Contact e3@jalesp.org.  

Learn more about this advancement opportunity for career police personnel and the HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR A GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR. First scholarships planned for the graduating class of 2016. Attention upper class persons and scholarship administrators in ANY New England state, or for any Connecticut town atJ.Allen Lamb & Edward S. Pocock III Foundation