The city's police department has opened up registration for the Peoria Police AZ Youth Citizen Police Academy, aimed at giving local 7th and 8th graders a taste of law enforcement life. The initiative is set to run through June with one-week sessions at four different high schools: Peoria High School from June 3-6, Centennial High School from June 10-13, Sunrise Mountain High School from June 17 – 20, and Liberty High School from June 24-27, as detailed on the city's website.
In what’s being billed as an immersive educational experience, the academy will cover a range of topics that police regularly handle. Participants will get their hands on alcohol/DUI goggles, explore crime scene investigations, and learn the intricacies of fingerprinting. Workshop plans also include a discussion on dangerous drugs, SWAT demonstrations, and diving into the world of internet and social media safety — unarguably crucial in today's digitally driven society.
The approach is hands-on, with the last day for each session taking place at the actual Peoria Police Department. Here, kids can expect live demos of police equipment, foundational lessons in firearms safety, and a chance to meet the department's K-9 unit — all promising a unique blend of education and adrenaline. Additionally, pressing issues such as vaping and current events will be on the agenda, reflecting the department's commitment to addressing the realities that students face outside the classroom walls.
For those interested in signing their children up for this blend of summer learning and civic duty, more information and registration details can be found on Peoria's official site.
