Following up on the great success of the Blue Springs Police Department’s Citizen Academy, the BSPD Crime Prevention Unit will begin a new program for youth on April 13, 2010 with the start of its first “Youth Police Academy.” The academy is for youth between 14-18 years of age, or from 14 up to any current high school senior.
The BSPD Youth Police Academy is a five week program, with the weekly meetings lasting for two hours each Tuesday. Blue Springs Police Department Personnel will conduct the hands-on academy with the goal of illustrating to students what real life police work is like, and to build a relationship that can last a lifetime. The first academy begins on April 13th, 2010 and will conclude with graduation on May 11th, 2010.
The course curriculum is designed as a hands-on learning experience where participants are allowed to immerse themselves in the police workplace, making it interesting in a way that simple lectures could not create. The five classes include:
• Presentation by Blue Springs R-IV School District Public Safety Director Tom Phillips and a tour of the BSPD Police facilities;
• Crime scene investigation, conducted by a BSPD Detective that includes a related video and students performing hands on crime scene activities;
• Week three will be held at the regional police academy for use of the Firearms Training System (F.A.T.S.). F.A.T.S. is a state of the art simulator system involving police video scenarios and the proper response to dangerous situations. Students will also participate in drivers training simulators. This class is instructed by Sergeant Allen Kintz;
• During class four, students will be trained and certified in CPR by Officer Jeff Jewell, Blue Springs School District Public Safety Department, who is also a Reserve Police Officer for BSPD;
• The final class includes a presentation by BSPD K-9 Officer Robert Unruh with a special guest appearance by K-9 Urich. Officer Unruh will explain the role of a K-9 in law enforcement and conduct several different demonstrations. Also on the same night (May 11th, 2010) class will conclude with a graduation open to family and friends where the students will receive a certificate of completion.
The BSPD Youth Academy classes are held at the CYOU building (205 SW 11th) building and are limited to 20 students. The class is free. If you have questions or would like to enroll in the program, please call Officer Doug Heishman at (816) 228-0178, or email Doug at Dheishman@bluespringsgov.com.
