Law & Public Safety
Students are provided classroom, simulation and hands on experience to prepare for employment in a variety of Law Enforcement, Corrections and Public Safety Careers. Courses will include Seminars in Law Enforcement, Ethics in Public Safety, Public Safety Leadership, Seminars in Corrections and Court and Legal Systems.
This program is 1080 hours and can be completed in two years.
Instructor Steve Neal
My name is Steve Neal, I am the instructor for the Law and Public Safety class at FIT.
I have 34 years of experience in the field directly related to this program.
I enlisted in the US Army in 1988 and discharged my service in 1992. During that time, I served in multiple combat infantry units and completed several additional specialized trainings such as: Light infantry leadership, Air Assault School, Jumpmaster School as well Ranger School, Dragon gunnery School. I deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division in 1989 to Panama where I earned my combat veterans status. After discharging from the Armed Services, I gained employment with the WV Division of Corrections and worked inside our state’s corrections facilities.
For 12 years during that time, I also served as a full-time Academy Instructor where I trained all new hire employees on the basic curriculum required to go to work in that field. The subject matter ranged from report writing and communications skills to defensive tactics and firearms qualifications.
Upon leaving the field of corrections, I pursued a career in law enforcement as a WV Deputy Sheriff, serving both in Nicholas and Fayette Counties through an almost 18-year career. During that time, I served as a K-9 Handler and a Swat Team Operator for 10 years, held supervisory positions, responded to hundreds if not thousands of 911 calls for service within the community, and conducted numerous investigations. I finished my career in law enforcement in the spring of 2025 and retired from the Fayette Co Sheriff Dept. It has been my honor to serve not only my country through my military service but my community with the service I provided through Corrections and Law Enforcement.
It is my hope and desire to allow my experience and job knowledge to carry on and be passed to the future generations of police and corrections officer through my time as an instructor at FIT for the Law and Public Safety Class.
Education & Experience:
- Veteran with US Army…..Operation Just Cause – Panama
- Division of Corrections Academy Graduate
- WV State Police Academy Graduate
- Pepper Spray (OC) Instructor
- Less Lethal, Chemical Munitions and Specialty Impact Weapon Instructor
- Firearms Instructor
- Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Taser Instructor
