LETI student retrains at age 65

Dorie Clark re-enters the law enforcement field after being absent since 1992.

By Jacob Gonzales

Published March 13, 2009

Dorie Clark has not worked in law enforcement since 1992, but now he's back for more.

At the age of 65, Clark has become the oldest trainee in the 50-year history of the MU Extension's Law Enforcement Training Institute.

This past November, Clark wanted to get back into law enforcement, but he did not realize it until he dropped his stepson off for police training. He said he was unsure if he was able to attempt a return into the police field.

"I asked if they had an age limit, but (his stepson's instructor) said I needed to go back to school and be recertified," Clark said. "She recommended I go to LETI and that's where I ended up in January."

LETI Director Gary Maddox said Clark has an energy that the other trainees can easily relate to.

"He has a youthful zeal about him that causes him to fit right in," Maddox said.

Clark was a police officer from 1989 to 1992 in Missouri, but then he started his own private investigating and security service.

Clark knew when he stopped being a police officer in 1992 he still felt the passion of being an officer.

"I thought it would be a good idea to go back into law enforcement again because I missed it once I came out of it," he said. "I knew that's where my heart was."

After years of not being a police officer, Clark has never thought getting back into the field would be very challenging for him. He said his instructors have made training challenging but also enjoyable.

"I have a mindset of getting used to things and I do love challenges so I knew it would not be problem getting back into it," Clark said. "We have great instructors, and I do not get any special treatment by doing this. I like that."

Clark said the most challenging part of training has been the 6 a.m. physical training sessions, but he said he enjoys the treatment he gets from his instructors.

Clark has noticed his presence brings inspiration to trainees of all ages, helping some of them get through some of physical training.

"Some of them are in their 30s and 40s, and some of them have just come back from Iraq and they are having problems doing the course," Clark said. "Their reaction to this point has been that I do inspire them."

Maddox said Clark is admirable for not giving up his desire to become an officer once again.

"I am delighted when I see people like Mr. Clark willing to sacrifice what it takes to be a police officer in the world today and to do so at an age when most people are looking to retire or to just coast the rest of the way," Maddox said.

Clark said his message is if he can do it then others can do it as well, and he hopes that others in his situation come back into the field as well.

After LETI, Clark hopes to receive a job as a police officer at either Lincoln University or in Jefferson City.