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With summer around the corner, many parents will be seeking ways to keep their children safe while also finding engaging activities for them to participate in.  The City of Valley’s Police Department has the answer. The Junior Police Academy program offers learning opportunities and interactive activities that encourage participation from the children while also providing an opportunity for mentorship. 

Lt. Sandra Crim, of the Valley Police Department, leads the program with Officer Drew Woodard and Corporal Steven Doyle. The officers lead classes on the different functions of the police department, as well as providing demonstrations for the children. The children will meet members from various units within the police department, as well as other first responders.  

The different teams will provide a show-and-tell type of demonstration, with the Drug Task Force bringing in K-9 units to demonstrate their prowess in finding hidden items. The City of Valley’s Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT) will give a demonstration of the gear and procedures involved in their training. 

Children will also hear from investigators within the department. Investigators will teach information-gathering techniques, which often help to train children’s observation and memory skills. A simulated crime scene investigation is used for this purpose, providing interactive experiences with law enforcement professionals.

Visits from the Mayor of Valley and the Valley Police Chief are expected to occur during the event, where they will address the youth and possibly answer questions.

The children will be given the opportunity to run an obstacle course tailored to their size, along with demonstrations of how officers navigate obstacles and maintain their physical fitness. 

Teachers from the Chambers County School System volunteer their time and efforts to enhance the arts and crafts program, as well as handle scheduling for the events and coordinate mealtimes. Lt. Crim expressed gratitude for the help from those in the Chambers County School System in a statement. 

“Without the teachers who help put this program on, help build this program, we could not do it.” 

The Junior Police Academy fosters a civic mindset among its participants, with many alumni returning to volunteer in the program after they age out. Children who have passed through the program have expressed interest in careers related to law enforcement and public service. 

The success of the program is measured by high community participation. Since its inception, the program has taught 50 to 100 students per class.  Despite the usual limit of 50 children, the program also accepts all who wish to participate. 

The Junior Police Academy will be held at the Valley Community Center from July 23 to 25, with registration ending June 30. The class is set to close after 50 participants are registered, but is willing to accommodate more if space allows. This is to ensure that no children or parents are discouraged from registering.