Student Police Academy welcomes grade 12 students

Grade 12 students from Calgary and area will get a first-hand look at policing during the annual Student Police Academy on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at Heritage Park.

The day is an opportunity for the students to learn more about the Calgary Police Service and see if it might be a good career choice for them. Police officers will teach the students how they approach different calls and will explain what the youth need to do if they want to become police officers. The teenagers then get to put on uniforms and apply what they learned in training scenarios throughout the park.

Participants will take part in a variety of real-life scenarios related to domestic conflict, impaired driving and notifying people that a loved one has died. They will also learn about crime scenes, surveillance and crowd control under the guidance of an experienced officer, and will complete an obstacle course, similar to what is used in training.

The event will also highlight the importance of key policing skills such as verbal communication, conflict resolution and arbitration skills as alternatives to force.

We are committed to reducing crime in our community by working with community partners to develop comprehensive strategies to address education, prevention, early intervention, treatment and enforcement. Engaging students in this hands-on event provides students with a better understanding of the complex dynamics involved in policing; it’s more than just responding to calls.

Our School Resource Officer Program, which helps coordinate the Student Police Academy, seeks to develop a positive rapport with youth and the school community. This event is made possible with contributions from Heritage Park, Calgary Co-op and Peter’s Drive-In.