Darran Cherep Remembrance Scholarship

Why am I choosing the field of law enforcement? Why does anyone choose this field? We choose this field because we want to change the world, change peoples' lives, save peoples' lives. We choose this field because we want to make a difference in the world. We want to change our lives by helping others. So why have I chosen law enforcement? I have chosen to work in law enforcement, specifically as a forensic examiner, because I want to make a difference. I want to help solve murder and missing person cases by making sure all evidence is collected. Anything you may think is not evidence can be. Evidence goes along with the saying "innocent until proven guilty". You can look at a scene and say there is a bullet casing, a book, a cup of water, and the curtains on the window. There is blood on everything except for the curtain, so what many people may do is look at it, they don't see anything on it so they think it is clean and does not need to be collected. Later on you find out that the curtain was a crucial part of your evidence because it was covered in hair, skin cells, blood, and more DNA from the suspect but the victim's family threw the curtains away not knowing any difference. I want to be the investigator that does not look past those pieces. I know that anything and everything can be evidence. How did I discover I wanted to be a forensic examiner? In 2020 when we had the lock down, like many kids, my siblings and I were in cyber school. Being cyber I got my assignments done quickly leaving me to have a lot of free time. To fill this time I began researching true crime. While researching, I Felt angry hearing that police missed evidence or looked past suspects or closed the case without answers. I understand that jobs of police officers and detectives are hard but I felt affected by the outcome which made me think about the families that were affected. So I started thinking how I could help and I found Crime Scene Investigation. I am currently enrolled in the Lenape Tech Law Enforcement program and I'm on the skillsUSA crime scene investigation team and we won first for local last year and this year and third place at districts last year and are hoping to get further this year. Why am I choosing the field of Law Enforcement? I am following this career because I want to make a difference in my community or state and help those hurting families to get closure and not have so much hurt in their hearts when someone selfishly, cowardly, and carelessly takes the life of their loved one.