Latest news with #JuniorPoliceAcademy
Chicago Tribune
29-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Niles junior police academy gives ‘enthusiastic group' of middle schoolers a glimpse at policing
A group of middle school students graduated from the latest Niles Police Department Junior Police Academy, getting a close up look at the police station and operations, and participating in mock police work. Caitlin Atkinson, a Niles Police Department school resource officer, told Pioneer Press the 11 participants ranged in age from 11 to 14 and were mostly students from local schools, including Clarence E. Culver, Emerson Middle and Gemini Middle schools. 'It went really well. We had a very enthusiastic group of kids,' said Atkinson, who ran the program with school resource officer Liam Ryan. The academy ran for four hours in the morning from July 14 through July 16 at the Niles police station. 'The first day we did a tour of the station, showed them our lockup. They thought that was pretty cool,' said Atkinson, who took over running the academy from former school resource officer Kevin Regal when she joined the unit in December. Day one also included a mock Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report, or POWER test, which Atkinson explained is what police applicants undergo during the hiring process. 'Basically, they had to run a couple of laps, do a couple of sit-ups, and sit and reach,' said Atkinson, who marks her seventh year with the police department in August. Sergeant Chris Koch was a third academy instructor, previewing the mobile command unit and the technology officers are able to use on the first day, returning on the second day to have participants try impairment goggles and talk about the dangers of drunk driving. Day two included a mock crime scene for participants to solve and a canine demonstration from Officer Jesse Bloomberg and his K-9 partner, Frank, an all-black German Shepherd. 'We did a mock traffic stop at the end,' said Atkinson about activities on the final day. Day three also included police Chief Joseph Romano giving a speech and presenting certificates to the graduates during a ceremony, which also featured a slideshow of academy activities. Atkinson estimated six parents attended the celebration, which included cheese, pepperoni and sausage pizzas and a vanilla cake that read, 'Congratulations Junior Police Academy Class of 2025.' 'When we asked the kids for feedback at the end of the three days, they said they wanted it to be longer, so next year maybe we'll add a day,' Atkinson said. 'There's a couple that want to come back next year.' Many Junior Police Academy graduates go on to the Police Explorer program, which also is run by Atkinson and meets monthly. Atkinson said the current 15 Police Explorer participants, who range in age from 14 to 19 and mostly attend Maine South or Maine East high schools in Park Ridge, assist with events such as the Fourth of July Parade and National Night Out. The latter will be held Aug. 5 at Golf Mill Park. 'They help out with active shooter training,' Atkinson said. 'They sometimes come to our festivals.' Atkinson said two of this year's Junior Police Academy graduates planned to join the Police Explorer program, which is for high schoolers. 'The rest were too young. They'll have to wait a couple of years,' Atkinson said. Other Niles Police Department opportunities for young people include working as a part-time community service officer, which requires applicants to be at least 17 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalent, or doing an internship while attending college. Atkinson said the Junior Police Academy helps participants, who must live in Niles or attend school in the village, to understand what officers do. 'They see what it's actually like. It makes them more comfortable talking to us, realizing we're also people and they can come to us if they need us,' Atkinson said. According to Atkinson, the School Resource Officer Unit, which just welcomed Michael Dati as its third member, covers 12 educational institutions from preschool to high school, giving presentations, taking school incident reports and being a safety presence.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Registration open for Beckley PD Junior Police Academy
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Kids in Raleigh County will have a chance to get an up-close look at the law enforcement profession as the Beckley PD's Junior Police Academy program returns. Each year the Junior Police Academy offers kids grades 5-8 in the local area a chance to experience what it's like in the field as a police officer. In the past, participants have gotten up close and personal with the Beckley Police Department K-9 Unit and have gained insight into aspects of law enforcement such as defensive tactics, first aid & CPR, fingerprinting, and more. Lieutenant John Wall with the Beckley Police Department said that the program is looking for participants in the Raleigh County area, specifically Beckley-based students. 'The Junior Police Academy is open to students 11-14 years of age,' Lt. Wall told 59News. 'They must be a resident of Raleigh County a preference will be given to students that attend school in Beckley City Limits.' This year's academy will be held in two sessions over the summer, with the first scheduled from June 23-June 26 and the second for July 7-July 10. Lt. Wall says that applications can be picked up at Park Middle School, Beckley-Stratton Middle School, and at the Beckley Police Department. Registration for the Junior Police Academy is now open, but act fast! Classes for each session are limited to 21 participants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
