CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Criminal Justice students from across Middle Tennessee competed in the Mid Cumberland Criminal Justice Competition on the Clarksville Campus of Daymar Institute, Thursday, March 16. The competition was the the brain child of Kenwood High School Criminal Justice teacher Amy Shoopman. Students representing Criminal Justice programs at Kenwood High School, West Creek High School, Northwest High School, Stewart County High School, Hendersonville High School, McGavock High School and Springfield High School participated in the day long competition.

“I planned the competition to allow the students to showcase what they learned in class and through the club, and compete against students they normally wouldn’t get to compete against,” said Shoopman. “My students compete against each other all the time in the classroom. So this allows them to be challenged by a group that may have a different skill set or understanding of the topic.”

Students competed in several events to display their knowledge and skills learned in class. Some of the hands on events tested their prowess in real life skills police officers and investigators perform on a daily basis. The events included a high risk traffic stop, DUI traffic stop, domestic disturbance-police response, dusting and lifting fingerprints, Appellate Court, mock crime scene investigation, criminal justice trivia and a panel interview.

Members of Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Police Department, Daymar Institute Criminal Justice Instructors, Ft. Campbell Military Police and local attorney Melissa King served as judges in this competition.

“This was an excellent opportunity for Daymar College and Clarksville Montgomery County Schools to partner together and create a fun and exciting event for high school students interested in the field of Criminal Justice,” said Crystal Wagoner-Eckberg Criminal Justice Academic Program Director. “Thank you to all the professionals who participated, including: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville
Police Department, the Fort Campbell Military Police, Clarksville Fire/Rescue, and the Montgomery County Driver Safety Office.”