July 16, 2024

Ferris State Law Enforcement Academy ‘skid car’ upgraded to serve in tactical driving sessions

Ferris State Criminal Justice skid car training for students — Ferris State University’s School of Criminal Justice recently gained a 2022 Dodge Charger Police Interceptor Model, which has been equipped as a “skid car” for tactical driving by Law Enforcement Academy students. Pictured with the car is Karl Conklin, a 1987 Ferris Criminal Justice Alumnus who works for Skidcar Systems, suppliers of the equipment that aids in this learning.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

Ferris State University Law Enforcement Academy students will gain important skills behind the wheel of a 2022 Dodge Charger during tactical driving training.

Glen Okonoski, interim chair of the School of Criminal Justice, said the program plans to use the Charger -- a popular four-dour muscle car -- in all seasons to benefit students.

“We are glad to restore this aspect of student learning,” Okonoski said. “The Charger will be an attractive element of our program promotions at regional college fairs, intermediate school districts and other functions for pre-college students. We plan to get full value from this latest addition to our vehicle fleet.”

Okonoski cited campus collaboration and help from a program alum in obtaining the freshly outfitted “skid car,” another educational tool for educating and training students.

A skid car unit allows the Charger’s tires to be lifted, which calls on academy students to manage the vehicle beyond their reflex reactions behind the wheel.

He pointed to funding from the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost’s office that allowed the school to replace a Crown Victoria that had gone out of service a year earlier.

“That vehicle was always outfitted as a skid car, and we were pleased to have picked up the Charger at a good price,” Okonoski said.

The apparatus attached to the Charger comes from Skidcar System in Las Vegas and 1987 Criminal Justice alumnus Karl Conklin is an employee there.

Okonoski said Conklin visited to offer consultation to Ferris’ Ken McCumber and Gene Lawler during setup and offered training to academy instructors who are new to skid car sessions.

“We have large parking areas on campus that can be used for tactical driving classes in the summer,” Okonoski said. “Also, there are other aspects of road-related responses the Charger will be used for year-round, like doing speed checks and interactive learning.”

Ferris State’s Criminal Justice program prepares students for a successful career in law enforcement, corrections, and a wide variety of local, state, and federal agencies.