My name is Jay Borton. I am a lieutenant with the Bakersfield Police Department and serve as the Traffic Commander. I have worked for the police department for over twenty-one years and plan to finish my career there. In as much as I love my job, I do look forward to retiring in about seven years. During my career I have earned my Associate and Bachelor degrees. I have worked nearly every assignment in the department and have promoted to what is basically an upper management and administrative position. I have found my educational experiences have helped me move up within the department.

I have been lucky in that I have enjoyed my formal education. I know many who have viewed it as work or a necessary evil. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree I found I had a strong desire to get back into school and learn more. Some of my motivation is self-serving: A Master’s degree will help me move up another step or two in my career. I do however believe my greater motivation is that I enjoy learning. It has been pointed out to me several times in my life that I do not know everything. I cannot think of a better way to hear that less often then to try to know more.

The MSA program will help me to have more meaningful interaction with other departments within the city that I have to deal with on a regular basis. Traffic engineering, finance, human resources, the City Attorney’s office and the office of the City Manager are just some of the other departments that rely on the knowledge and experience I bring to the table. Because of the courses I have taken in this program, I have been able to provide valuable feedback and viable ideas during meetings, conferences and evaluation sessions. I have also been active on statewide committees dealing with law enforcement training and data collection. I cannot count the number of times I have referred back to classes from this program, or interaction with students and faculty, to help me in the performance of my duties or responsibilities in these settings.

On a personal level this degree means a great deal to me. I was the first member of my family to obtain an Associate and a Bachelor’s degree. I was lucky to obtain both of these prior to the death of my parents. Both were extremely proud of my accomplishments, even if it took twenty six years. The completion of this MSA program is the icing on the cake. Not only will I benefit from it directly through work and simply through the experience of obtaining it, but it will also serve as a tribute to my parents and, hopefully, an example to my children.

After I retire from police work, I plan to remain active either in local government (exactly which locality is yet to be determined) or perhaps attend law school and practice law. This program will be a valuable and sturdy stepping stone along which ever path I choose.

Jay C Borton