By Editor

It is never too early to start thinking about careers. Middle schoolers who have an interest in policing will have the opportunity to get a taste of the profession at the Youth Citizen’s Police Academy, a weeklong instructional event which will be held at Matthew Turner Elementary School.

From July 18 to 22, incoming seventh and eighth-graders will learn about how the Benicia Police Department operates. Police officers will deliver presentations, and students will participate in mock scenarios such as crime scene processing. Topics covered include arrest procedures, police ethics, criminal law, collecting evidence, cyberbullying, operating a police radar gun, handling equipment and more. There will also be a discussion on gun safety, and students will be given a chance to operate a laser and simunitions weapon– not unlike a paintball gun– at a range. This will be done under adult supervision, and students will not be handling live firearms. There will also be demonstrations performed by the SWAT team, Motorcycle Unit and K-9 Unit. The course will conclude with a graduation ceremony held at Matthew Turner Elementary.

Source: Middle schoolers to get firsthand look at police life with Youth Citizen’s Police Academy