WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1999

CSULB student turns police chief

By Nicola Chadwick

On-Line Forty-Niner

Cal State Long Beach criminal justice major Karin Storm joined the Long Beach Police department Tuesday and experienced first-hand what it is like to be police chief, for a day that is.

Storm was one of two students who won the honor of being "Chief for a Day" by winning an essay contest. Students from Long Beach City College, CSULB and the Long Beach Unified School District submitted a one-page essay telling what they would hope to learn as police chief. Judges from the Long Beach Police Department, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College and CSULB selected a winner from both college and high school level.

Storm, along with the second winner, Lakewood High School Junior Daniel Khin, started her day at 8 a.m. First she met with the current Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luman, who presented her with a plaque for the winning essay. Storm also received a police department hat and shirt, and a gift certificate from Barnes and Noble Booksellers.

The winning duo's day also included a tour of a local detention facility, the Long Beach Police Headquarters and a luncheon with Chief Luman.

Their day continued with a K-9 and firearms demonstration, and a lecture describing police duties, procedures and training. The day ended with a Long Beach City Council meeting.

Storm currently works for U.S. Probation and Parole.

"We get the offender after the courts so its nice to see before they get convicted," said Storm. Storm plans to graduate in May and while keeping her current job continue on with her graduate studies in Criminal Justice. "I enjoyed today, it was a great opportunity most people in our community wouldn't have," said Storm.