THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506230195
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Joseph A. Hughes always wanted to be a cop.
Wednesday, the 50-year-old Chesapeake resident realized his lifelong dream when he graduated from the regional police academy in Hampton. He has signed on with the Portsmouth Police Department.
``At some time in his or her childhood nearly every youngster wants to grow up to be a police officer,'' Hughes said, in a short paper he wrote for one of his training classes entitled ``Dreams Do Come True.''
``I have retained this career goal my whole life and have been fortunate enough to achieve my dreams.''
Hughes is a retired Coast Guard computer specialist.
When he graduated from high school years ago, Hughes tried to get into law enforcement. He applied for a job as a police officer in Washington, D.C.
Trouble was, he was too short. At 5 feet, 7 inches, Hughes was just shy of the department's requirement that officers be at least 5 feet, 8 inches.
Since then, conscious of the issue of discrimination, most departments have dropped or loosened such restrictions.
``All that's gone,'' said Frank J. Kowaleski, executive director of the Hampton Roads Regional Academy of Criminal Justice, a state-funded school that trains officers for Southeastern Virginia departments. ``All that's required now is that you have to be healthy.''
Hughes fits that bill. Before he applied for the Portsmouth department, he was into running. He clocked 1,000 miles in a year and a half, he said.
``I tried to take care of my old body,'' he said.
He beat out most of the 1,500 applicants who applied for about 30 slots in the Portsmouth department, passing a tough series of written and physical fitness tests and background checks.
His age was never an issue at the academy.
Kowaleski said it is not unusual for people in their 40s and 50s to turn to law enforcement as a second or third career. The academy has had graduates as old as 58, he said.
Hughes said he was treated like just another recruit, except for some occasional ribbing by his classmates.
``The class called me grandpa or old man,'' he said. Hughes has four sons and one grandson.
Hughes' wife, Robin L. Hughes, said initially she wasn't thrilled about his determination to become a police officer.
``But when I saw how much he wanted it, I said, `OK, I'll support you,' '' she said. ``That's what marriage is all about.''
Hughes said he is just grateful to officials in the Portsmouth department ``for giving an old man a chance.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Joseph A. Hughes graduated from the regional police academy at 50.
by CNB