Applications are being accepted for the Student Police Academy, sponsored by the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Police Athletic League.
The free program is open to boys and girls, ages 14 to 18 (18 year-old students must have one year of high school remaining).
The academy allows participants to get an overview of how the police department operates and interact with officers. Hands-on activities will be used.
The academy’s goal is to offer useful knowledge to the next generation of how law enforcement works.
“Recruiting has become more difficult, possibly due to lack of interest in the law enforcement profession or a lack of knowledge in the field. We want to make ourselves available to those who may be interested in one day becoming one of Oklahoma City’s finest,” Sgt. Paco Balderrama said. “This is not a ‘scared straight’ program. We want the best students who will stay focused and keep an interest in law enforcement.”
The academy will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 6 to 10. Most classes will be at the police department’s pistol range, 8500 S Air Depot Blvd., but other sites will be visited.
For more information, call 297-1137 or e-mail Lt. David Williams at david.williams@okc.gov.
Brian Sargent
Staff Writer