Rewarding profession
03/18/2025
After graduation, Aaron Archer plans to work for a police department in northwest Ohio.
Learning during police rides-alongs
Aaron Archer ’25, a criminal justice major from Bowling Green, Ohio, spent time with various police departments doing ride-along experiences during the spring 2025 semester.
Archer had the idea that he wanted to be a police officer from a young age and was drawn by his friend’s parents in the profession.
Archer explained that he was able to gain a hands-on experience with the Findlay, New Albany, Toledo and Washington Township police departments, but especially with the Washington Township police department.
“The officer I rode with in Washington Township allowed me to be in charge of the active police work,” said Archer. “I was able to pick out certain vehicles that needed tending to. He wanted to ensure that the next generation of police officers are trained properly.”
Archer has gained an eye for vehicles that appear suspicious and need pulled over.
“One thing that I have noticed during my ride-alongs is that individuals that have expired license plate tags or are driving with a suspended license tend to drive vehicles that stick out more than usual,” said Archer. “It has been reassuring to notice a suspicious vehicle and discover that traffic stop was necessary.”
Archer has learned through his experiences to put all biases aside when on the job and to ensure that proper conducted is followed. He believes that these experiences have significantly helped shape his future perspective on being a police officer.
“Being a police officer is a rewarding profession but you have to be focused and mentally tough” said Archer.
Archer attributes his success at Bluffton to the faculty and staff that have helped him along the way.
“Michael Barrett is my criminal justice advisor,” said Archer. “He has been great at getting me lined up with ride alongs as well as giving me advice and encouragement throughout my time at Bluffton.”
Archer came to Bluffton as a biology and pre-med double major. He had a conversation with his mother in which he explained he wanted to be somewhere he could help other people and make a change in the world. With that, he switched to criminal justice.
One of the reasons Archer, a Las Vegas, Nev., native, chose Bluffton, on top of being recruited for baseball, was due to the wide range of scenery that differed from the west coast.
After graduation, Archer plans to stay local and work for a police department in northwest Ohio.
Archer is a catcher on the baseball team and a delegate for Multicultural Student Organization.