Applications ready for DPD Junior Academy

The Daleville Department of Public Safety is calling for participants for its annual Junior Police Academy.

Applications for students in grades 7-12 are currently being accepted through May 17 to take part in the free junior academy event, which exposes students to the work of law enforcement and first responders.

“They pretty much learn a small portion of what we do,” Interim Police Chief Allen Medley said. “They have investigators come to them and talk to them about an overlay of crime scene stuff, the day-to-day operations of everything that we do as far as answering calls and the different kind of calls we answer.”

He said other speakers include representatives from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies and groups. Participants are also exposed to fire and rescue operations and education.

“We try to show them how it’s all tied together, how we all work together, and we all pretty much do the same things, but it’s just in different manners.”

He said the students may also see demonstrations of law enforcement K-9 units, take part in a CPR class and complete an official law enforcement obstacle course.

“They actually do the same obstacle course that we do, that officers do to qualify to go through the academy,” he said, stating participants are also taken to a firing range where every child is monitored by a law enforcement official.

The academy will be held July 8-19, with students being honored for their participation on the last day of the event.

Medley said he hopes the program teaches participants confidence and how to be comfortable around law enforcement and first responders.

“I think the biggest thing they learn is we’re all human,” he said. “We (law enforcement) are just like anybody else, and that’s what I want them to understand, that we’re friends.”

Medley said he believes social media has created division between some communities and law enforcement.

“The good thing is, this community… we tend to have a good relationship with the community,” he said. “I want to keep it that way, and that starts with the kids. I want these kids to know that they can come to us.”

Applications can be picked up at Daleville High School or the Department of Public Safety, where applications may be turned in.

For questions or more information, contact Interim Chief Allen Medley at (334) 598-4442 or at (334) 400-3375.