Children often view police officers as mere enforcers, lacking full insight into what encompasses the responsibilities of being an officer.
The Sheboygan Police Department is attempting to take the mystery out of law enforcement with their upcoming Junior Police Academy.
The academy aims to provide a comfortable environment for middle school students in the Sheboygan Area School District to interact with police officers.
Not only do children gain insight into the character required to be an effective law enforcement officer, but the adults are able to take time to transition from being just “police officers” to being “mentors.”
The program’s website notes that students who attend the academy are not necessarily encouraged to become police officers in the future; rather, the goal of the program is to instill confidence and a sense of achievement in the children.
Students currently enrolled in grades 6-8 must enroll by May 26. Students who are selected for the program will be notified prior to June 9.
The first session lasts from June 27 to July 1 with the second session lasting from July 18 to July 22. They will be early sessions, running from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Sheboygan Police Department.
