For 27 teenagers, a world of information, activities and procedures involved in law enforcement will open Monday as the 13th Youth Police Academy gets underway.
Director Janet Richburg with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department said a full-scale event is planned for the teens who will convene on the campus of Jefferson Davis Community College next week.
“We’ll be doing orientation for these students and prepare them for a full day of events exposing them to different aspects of law enforcement,” Richburg said. “We are excited to have a full roster of students who are ready to get started.”
Richburg said 27 students may not be as large a group as has been seen in the past, but will be enough to keep workers and volunteers busy for the week.
“We have had larger groups in the past, but this is certainly more than enough to keep us busy,” Richburg said. “With a few less students, we will have the opportunity to be more intensive with our subject matter during instruction time.”
The opening day will begin with a visit from members of the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force group as well the game wardens with the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fishers, Richburg said.
“We want the opening day to be educational but enjoyable for the students,” Richburg said. “We will be hosting officers with several departments and will be hosting members of the Brewton Police Department’s SWAT team.”
The Youth Police Academy is sponsored by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, the Brewton Police Department and Jefferson Davis Community College. Co-sponsors for the event are the Atmore Police Department, Flomaton Police Department and East Brewton Police Department.
Each department represented will be assisting with instruction with additional instructional assistance and direction by members of the Alabama State Troopers, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and others.
The Academy is designed for children who have a genuine interest in law enforcement. This Academy will challenge them physically and allow them to learn more about the function of law enforcement in society.
Organizers say the two major goals of the event are to give young people a glimpse into the life of law enforcement officials and to show the negative effects of criminal activity as well as chance the moral character of participants by setting a positive example.
Academy students will participate in programs similar to those taught official police academy classes.
Students will have classroom instruction and hands-on training in various topics. Students will participate in physical training and drill exercises daily.
Training topics include Role of Law Enforcement Today, Drug Identification, Dangers of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics, Firearm Safety, Self Defense Techniques, Personal Character Development, Traffic Stops, Domestic Violence, DUI Laws and consequences.