In a move to tighten the bond between law enforcement and the youth, the Maple Grove Police Department is launching a Teen Police Academy this summer. Announced on May 1st, the program invites local teens aged 14 to 18 to dive into the ins and outs of police work during a week-long crash course scheduled for the afternoons of June 10 to 14.
The Teen Police Academy, as reported by the Maple Grove Police Department's Facebook page, is designed as a condensed version of their Citizens Policy Academy. Getting involved in hands-on activities, the teens will get the chance to mingle with officers, experience demonstrations, and go on tours, all aimed at demystifying the day-to-day workings of law enforcement.
"An opportunity to learn more about law enforcement, explore career paths, and see firsthand what it means to protect and serve," states the Maple Grove Police Department's Facebook announcement. Eager teenagers with an eye on a future badge can find more information and the online registration form on the department's official website.
This initiative comes as police departments across the nation look for innovative ways to build trust within their communities, especially amongst younger members. The Maple Grove PD hopes this direct engagement will spur interest in law enforcement careers and foster a greater understanding and respect for police work among the teens who take the course designed to give them a peek behind the thin blue line.
