Student Police Academy

This program allowed student with and interest in law enforcement as a profession, the opportunity to learn first hand the various requirements and skills needed to become a police officer in the State of Kentucky.

The program was conducted by School Resource Officers, Mike Correll and Michael Grigsby, students were given the opportunity to address their questions regarding the various roles that police officers perform, as well as learning why the police do things the way they do. The informal classroom type setting gave students an invaluable chance to interact and learn.

Various topics were covered during the week long training including:

· Physical Fitness Test (POPS - Peace Officer Professional Standards)

· DUI, traffic enforcement (Fatal Vision Goggles)

· Police Patrol Procedures

· Police Equipment

· K-9 tactics and K-9 demonstration

· The Role of 911 Communications in Law Enforcement

· Criminal Investigation

· "Red Man" training

The week long goal of the academy was to dispel the many television myths and give students a real sense of what law enforcement is really like. Students were given the opportunity to practice "taking down" and handcuffing a 180 pound manikin, learn drill movements and formation movements, and experience full force on force simulation with the help of the REDMAN protective suit. Officers instructed the students in the proper use of force, explaining that verbal directives are critical.

Students during the academy had the opportunity to use various police equipment, such as GPS Unit's, the police baton, and various other items during their training. The class size is limited to only 20 students, and student must meet various requirements, including grade point average, guidance counselor recommendation as well as a physical performed by school nurse or physician.

The academy began with each student being tested by the same physical fitness standards as police officers are now required to pass during their first day of the academy. Student's learning continued through out the week, by various demonstrations, a variety of hands on activities, as well as several guest speakers from various areas of criminal justice.

Student's had guest speakers that covered the many different areas of the Criminal Justice System,

Jennifer R. Grigsby, Director of Administration, McCreary County 911 Center, spoke to students about the importance of the 911 system and the critical role of telecommunicates in the everyday operations of the criminal justice system

Honorable Eddy Montgomery, Commonwealth Attorney for Pulaski County, spoke to students on the various roles he and his office has in the criminal justice system.

The Honorable Carrie Weise, Pulaski County Juvenile's Attorney spoke to student's regarding juvenile law, while Court Designated Worker for Pulaski County, Jennifer Burton, addressed students regarding the role of the CDW in the Juvenile Justice System,

Cabinet for Family Services, Crissy Grubbs and Daulton Miller, spoke to students about the role of social workers in the law enforcement community,

Court Designated Worker, Jennifer Burton, spoke to the students about the role of the Court Designated Worker's Office in Juvenile Offenses, and how the CDW program is established through the Adminstrive Office of the Courts

Lt. Detective Doug Nelson, Commander of Criminal Investigation Division of Somerset Police Department, addressed the students regarding Crime Scene Investigation,

John Swiderski, Property and Evidence Officer for Somerset Police Department, demonstrated to student the proper handling and packaging of evidence, as well as discussing the chain of custody regarding all property received by the Somerset Police Department,

Sheriff Todd Wood and Chief Deputy Larry D. Wesley spoke to students about the various roles that the Sheriff has under Kentucky Law, while Deputy Steve Cundiff, demonstrated the Sheriff's Department's Critical Response Unit to students,

Detective Shannon Smith, and Shadow (Somerset Police Department's K-9), visited the students, and presented them with the chance to see how a drug detection drug works, and

Chris Turner, from the Division of Driver's Licensing, explained to the students about Graduated Licensing program and Kentucky's New Driver's Licensing system.

These individuals are to be commended for their role in educating these students, by taking the time to become involved even though of their other professional and personal responsibilities.

Student's were divided in to a middle school academy and a high school academy. All student's that participate wish the academy was longer, and look forward to next year. Southern Middle School 8th grade student, Micah Tarter (the only female in the group) stated that the academy was "a blast". "I've learned a lot about the duties of a police officer. I was really most interested in veterinary medicine but after this week, I'll probably become a cop", commented Tarter.

Student Academy Date for 2005 unfortunately has been canceled. Hopefully the Academy Program will return in Summer of 2006