Students participate in Kent’s Teen Police Academy

Published 11:20 am Thursday, July 6, 2017

The Kent Police Department hosted its first Teen Police Academy for Kent sophomores, juniors and seniors.

About a dozen students participated in both classroom and hands-on learning experiences in the June 28-30 event. Blocks of instruction included the Constitution, report writing, mock oral board interviews, job preparation and recruitment.

Teens met officers who fill specialty positions such as K-9, SWAT, Civil Disturbance Unit, and Special Operations Unit (bikes/boat patrol).

In addition, the department’s Neighborhood Response Team Officers took the students through mock scenes such as a building search, traffic stops and they were able to use the Firearms Training simulator, which took them through decision-making scenarios.

The goals of the academy were to introduce students to a law enforcement career, get them to think ahead of what they can do now to prepare for the job and to build relationships with Kent Police Department’s officers and staff.