Teacher with a badge

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

TIFFANY BROWN / LAS VEGAS SUN

After 11 years of teaching middle school in Milwaukee, Dorinda Allen, center, came to Las Vegas to pursue her dream of being a police officer. Wednesday she realized that dream as she sat with 53 other recruit officers during Southern Desert Regional Police Academy's graduation at the Orleans showroom. "(Being a police officer) is similar to being a teacher in that you're helping people and making a difference. It requires many of the same values," said Allen, who will work for the North Las Vegas Police Department. For her the draw of police work lies in the excitement, the joy of people looking up to you and the courage the job requires. From here, she said, "I just look forward to getting started." Wednesday's graduates will join five jurisdictions: Henderson Police, North Las Vegas Police, Boulder City Police, Clark County School District Police and Community College of Southern Nevada Police.

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