AKRON, Ohio — Police officers are required to be physically fit and Akron Police Department Cadet Aaron Williams knows what it takes.
What You Need To Know
- The Akron Police Department is actively recruiting new police officers
- Currently, 23 cadets are going through the 24-week training academy
- The department is accepting applications through June 17
- The written exam is scheduled for July 8 and July 9
He had to overcome some obstacles before he could take on the obstacle course recruits go through in the police academy.
“My weight was an issue,” he said. “It was a huge issue.”
Williams said at his heaviest, he weighed 362 pounds.
He lost 65 pounds in the first three months of his weight loss journey, which he started last March.
To date, he’s lost 78 pounds, and he’s not done yet.
“I got to lose more. I got to keep that same motivation to lose more and be more fit for the job,” said Williams.
Williams said he’s wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid.
“My uncle was a police officer and every time I saw those flashing lights, I was like, man, to me, it would be fulfilling as a person and just give me purpose,” said Williams.
He is not letting anything stop him from achieving his goal. His determination didn’t waver even after he failed a physical fitness test last September.
“Even when I failed, I knew this is where I wanted to be,” he said.
This is where Lt. Michael Miller comes into the picture.
He’s been an Akron police officer for 22 years. Miller approached Williams after noticing he didn’t breathe during the sit-up portion of the fitness test.
“As much as or as little as I did to help him, I think it was quadrupled in terms of what he did for me and my life changed that day,” said Miller.
“Before I even knew him, he felt like a dad,” said Williams. “You know, pull you to the side, not beat you up in the middle of failure, but encourage you to succeed.”
What Williams didn’t know at the time is that one interaction would start a chain reaction.
“From that point to now, I’ve lost 75 pounds myself,” said Miller.
These two now have a special bond, and they are not the only ones.
“Keep working. Keep working,” said Williams to his fellow cadets during a physical training session.
Week 2 at the academy has wrapped up and already, this group of 23 recruits is close.
They encourage each other because they all share the same values.
“We’re all here to protect and serve the community and we all understand that,” said Williams.
Williams said it’s an honor to be one step closer to joining the Akron Police Department alongside so many others who share the same passion for service.
“I think I was really drawn to Akron and Akron really chose me,” he said.
The Akron Police Department is actively recruiting new police officers. The department is accepting applications through June 17 and the written exam is scheduled for July 8 and 9.