By By Adam Prestridge – for the standard
City, county, state and federal law enforcement agents converged on Atmore Tuesday to help properly train teenagers in the firing and handling of a handgun.
The firearms training, which was held at the shooting range north of Atmore, was only a small portion of this year's Youth Police Academy training.
Following registration, organizers of the Youth Police Academy feared a low turnout could have prevented the training from being held this year with only a handful of students enrolled. But thanks to the assistance of area businesses and individuals, 31 teenagers were able to attend the weeklong training.
Sanborn believes the word is getting out, which is drawing more and more participants from as far away as Evergreen.
Tuesday was the only day training was held in Atmore. That morning, students had the opportunity to fire off several rounds at the shooting range with the assistance of instructors, which were made of law enforcement agents from across the state. Those instructors included officers from the Atmore, Brewton, Flomaton and Poarch police departments, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Alabama State Troopers and other law enforcement officers representing various state and federal agencies.
One of those volunteers was Lt. Kenny Brazile with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. Brazile served as the shooting range instructor Tuesday afternoon.
Prior to being allowed to fire handguns, the students had to participate in classroom training. Brazile said he and other officers taught the students safety measures to take while handling a loaded and unloaded firearm and the proper techniques for holding a gun.
Youth Police Academy co-director Samantha Bennett, who is the administrative assistant from Atmore Police Department, believes the law enforcement agents who volunteer their time as instructors have also been a key factor in the program growing. Bennett and her husband, trooper Ed Bennett, both volunteer their time working with the teens during the summer program. &#8220We enjoy working with children,” she said. &#8220Our own child (Briana) is a part of this and it gives us an opportunity to be a part of her life and watch her grow.”
After taking aim at targets at the shooting range, students enjoyed a barbecue lunch provided by RJ's Exxon in Atmore. Tuesday afternoon, the teens tested their skills on the agility course following the same standards every police officer or correctional officer in the state has to complete. The course is comprised of pushing a car, jumping a wall, climbing through a window, running through tires and dragging a body.
Members of a bomb squad gave a demonstration later in the afternoon.
Today, students will learn defensive tactics and handcuffing at the Brewton YMCA and an ABC agent will give a presentation. Students will have the opportunity to drive golf carts through an obstacle course wearing &#8220drunk” goggles. This evening, they will learn about building searches and will have simulated nighttime traffic stops.
Thursday, crime scene investigators from the Department of Forensic Science will be on hand to give a presentation and give students the chance to perform hands-on activities such as DNA analysis and collecting evidence.
The students will then go to the Brewton Airport for the landing of a DEA airplane and a military plane. Thursday evening students will learn about Internet safety and once again perform building searches and simulated nighttime traffic stops.
Students will have their timed physical training test Friday. A rescue squad will simulate two automobile accidents Friday afternoon and allow students to use the Jaws of Life. A medical student will also be on hand to teach first aid and Trooper Bennett will demonstrate how traffic accidents are investigated.
Sanborn said participants in the Youth Police Academy were housed in Lakeview Apartments, which are the dorms at the Jefferson Davis Community College Brewton campus.
Friday will be highlighted by the academy's graduation slated for 6 p.m. at Woodfin-Patterson Auditorium.