The Columbus Police Department has put together a program to introduce some bright young students to the world of police work.
“We”ve started the Citizens Police Academy with former Chief J.D. Sanders; now we”re going to start the Teen Police Academy, based after one in Palm Beach, Fla.,” said Lt. Keith Worshaim of the CPD.
“We”re hoping to catch the kids while they are still in high school so if they want a career in law enforcement they will know what to do. Stay clean. No dope, no arrests.”
The program will give students the opportunity to explore a career path offered by law enforcement by allowing them the chance to learn about every aspect of day-to-day policing, from the desk to the street.
“We”re not just looking for high averages, we”re looking for the total person,” Worshaim said.
Participants in the program will receive training and orientation in physical agility, canines, police cycling, the pistol range, water safety and recovery, pressure point control tactics, criminal investigations and several other areas of police work.
Students interested in joining the program must:
- Be a resident of Columbus or Lowndes County.
- Have a grade point average in the equivalent to a “B-” average, verified via a letter from the student”s principal.
- Have a letter of recommendation from their school”s counselor.
- Not have any negative disciplinary actions on their record from the prior school year.
- Not have any negative judgments within any judicial court system.
- Be at least 16 years old and no older than 18 years old on the first day of the Teen Police Academy.
- Be ready to attend class and not miss any days. The student and the student”s parents must sign an agreement to this effect.
The first session of the Teen Police Academy will begin June 8 and run until June 12. The program is free to join, but April 30 is the cut-off for submitting an application. For more information and to obtain an application, students should contact their school”s guidance counselor.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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