Union County's young residents are once again given a chance to walk a mile in the boots of a sheriff's deputy. Sheriff Eddie Cathey has announced the return of the Junior Sheriff's Academy for the summer of 2025. A Facebook post by the Union County Sheriff's Office in Monroe, NC detailed the free program's aims to provide an immersive learning experience for children aged 8 to 12, delving into various aspects of law enforcement.
The program outline, as stated on the official Facebook page of the Union County Sheriff's Office, includes activities such as role-playing traffic stops, understanding the functions of a Special Response Team, K-9 training, and crime scene investigations. The academy extends over four week-long sessions taking place from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon with each week capped by graduation ceremonies on Fridays
Keen to offer the experience to as many youngsters as possible, the Sheriff's Office has put a system in place where first-time applicants will be prioritized for the 30 spots available per session. Those who have attended before will not be left out, but instead placed on a waitlist, ensuring fresh faces are introduced to the inner workings of local law enforcement every year.
Interested families should act fast as spots are known to fill quickly. "Registration opens April 14 at noon," signaling the start for parents and guardians to secure a place for their children, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office. Those looking to join the ranks of the mini deputies this summer should mark their calendars, participation in this program is not only a memorable experience but an early lesson in civic education.
