Area youth interested in law-related careers will have the opportunity to spend a week with local professionals during the Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Youth Citizen Police Academy.
This is the second year for the Youth Police Academy. Last year’s pilot project with 25 students was so successful that the program has been expanded to accommodate around 100 students this year. The project is a coordinated effort between the Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department, Wichita Public Schools and Andale High School.
Approximately 100 youth will participate in the day camp where they will learn about various aspects of law-related careers. The week’s activities will include tours of the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center, the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility and 911 Communications Center. The students will also observe trial proceedings and a demonstration at the Wichita/Sedgwick County Range, and they will run the obstacle course that recruit officers are required to run.
“Most of the students participating have already had exposure to law enforcement because the School Resource Officers have been in the classrooms teaching law-related topics during the school year,” said Sgt. Jerry Quick, Wichita Police Department.
Prior to the Youth Academy, the students rode with Wichita Police Officers and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputies to experience the daily routine of law enforcement officers.
Officer Duane Gold said last year the students really enjoyed the hands on activities such as car stop training. “We show them the many different types of career fields in law enforcement,” said Officer Gold. “Through this Academy, they get to see the full spectrum; everything from the SWAT team to attorneys to the coroner.”
Students from the following schools are participating in the Youth Academy: Andale High School, Northwest High School, West High School, South High School, Southeast High School, Truesdell Middle School, Hamilton Middle School, Hadley Middle School, Wilbur Middle School, Allison Middle School and Mayberry Middle School.
Sponsors who have made donations to this event include: Papa John’s Pizza, Dillons, PepsiCo, McGreevy’s Meats, Andale High School, Coca-Cola, Wichita/Sedgwick County CrimeStoppers, Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, Effie’s Enterprises and Sara Lee Bakery.
For more information contact Sgt. Jerry Quick, Patrol West, 941-0673 or Sgt. Terrilee Jones, Sheriff’s Department, 383-7184.