With the latest news surfacing on George Zimmerman, many people are forced to take a deeper look into his lifelong journey as an aspiring police officer. His first time to emerge from hiding since being acquitted, he ends up saving a family in an overturned SUV. Maybe with this news, seeing Zimmerman’s name on the roster for your online law enforcement course would not be such a surprise.
On February 26, 2012, George Zimmerman followed Trayvon Martin through his subdivision, believing Trayvon looked “suspicious.” Zimmerman phoned the non-emergency police number and advised them that he believed Trayvon Martin was “up to no good.” Martin, 17, was returning from the convenience store to the residence of his father’s fiancé. During the call, the dispatcher told Zimmerman to stop following Martin. After Zimmerman ended his call with the emergency dispatcher, he was involved in a struggle with Martin that ended when Zimmerman shot the 17 year old once in the chest. Zimmerman asserts that his actions were in self-defense. He is currently standing trial for second degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin.
Many people believe Zimmerman continued to pursue Martin despite the dispatcher’s direction because Zimmerman thought of himself as law enforcement. Judge Debra Nelson, the presiding judge in the case ruled that evidence of Zimmerman’s interest in law enforcement is admissible. Several things point to Martin’s desire to become a police officer and work in law enforcement:
- At the time of the shooting, Zimmerman was pursuing an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice with an anticipated graduation date in the spring of 2012 from Seminole County College. As a part of his coursework, Zimmerman learned about the ‘Stand Your Ground’ self-defense law. He also received instruction on interrogation techniques and how to be a good witness.
- During the trial, Zimmerman’s former professor at Seminole County College, Alexis Carter, testified on behalf of the prosecution. He described Zimmerman as one of the better students and testified that Zimmerman often discussed Florida’s stand your ground and self-defense laws with other students.
- In July 2009, George Zimmerman applied to be a member of the Prince William, Virginia police department. The application was rejected by the police department.
- Zimmerman applied to participate in a police ride along in March 2010.
Zimmerman’s interest in law enforcement may also be seen in his position within his community. Zimmerman was the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for the community of The Retreat at Twin Lakes where the shooting occurred. Zimmerman, and other residents of the community, met with Wendy Dorival, a representative of the Sanford police department, to detail how to set up a neighborhood watch program. Zimmerman seemed to take the role as coordinator seriously, making numerous calls to Sanford police to voice complaints. In the six months prior to Martin’s death, Zimmerman made five calls to police:
- February 2, 2012 – Zimmerman reports a black male is by a residence that is owned by a Caucasian individual. Police are dispatched, residence is found to be secure
- January 29, 2012 – Zimmerman called to complain about children playing in the street. The police officers reported that the children were not blocking traffic and would move whenever a car approached.
- December 10, 2011 – Zimmerman called in reference to a waiter that had been terminated from a catering function.
- October 1, 2011 – Zimmerman complains of individuals loitering.
- September 23, 2011 – Zimmerman calls to notify police of an open garage door.
In the years before the shooting, Zimmerman made more than forty calls to Sanford police for issues ranging from garage doors being open to stray dogs.
Zimmerman’s defense attorneys argue his involvement with the community watch and his interest in law enforcement is not pertinent to the case. Prosecutors disagree and assert the history shows Zimmerman’s state of mind.
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