Calgary, AB,
30
March
2016
|
13:13
America/Denver

Teens get peek inside Calgary Police Service

Twenty-five young people are getting an inside look at the Calgary Police Service this week through the Service’s spring session of the Junior Police Academy. Over four days, the participants will get to tour police facilities, learn about policing from investigators and front-line officers, and get a taste of what life is like for new police recruits.

The program runs four times a year and is similar to the Citizen’s Police Academy, but is aimed at youth between the ages of 12 and 16.

“As a Service, it is important to us both that kids understand the importance of making good decisions and that citizens understand how we police their city,” says Sergeant Paul Cuthill, with the Calgary Police Service Youth Mentorship Team. “The Junior Police Academy helps us achieve both these goals by educating kids on the consequences of crime, while also giving them a look at how we do things.”

The youth are visiting the HAWCS helicopter hanger and Traffic Section, meeting police canines and horses, seeing how the Forensic Crime Scene Unit collects evidence, and learning about major crimes investigations and the Victim Assistance Unit.

Participants are given the experience of a police recruit by wearing uniforms, having to participate in personal fitness training and having to complete tests. The week ends with the students applying what they learned by responding to mock police scenarios, followed by a formal graduation ceremony.

Since many of the activities can lead to a big appetite, the participants also get to experience another great Calgary tradition – being treated to a lunch at Peter’s Drive In.

The next Junior Police Academy will be held during the summer and anyone interested in applying can find the application form and requirements on the Calgary Police Service website. There is no cost to anyone wanting to participate.

The Calgary Police Service could not offer this program without the support of our partners and sponsors, including Peter’s Drive In, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary.