BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The Beckley Police Department recently announced the dates for this summer’s 2021 Junior Police and Leadership Academy.
According to the department, the academy will work to foster better communication between the youth and the department through education.
“The goal of the Junior Police Academy is to educate Beckley’s youth about the structure and activities of their police department,” stated the Beckley PD. “The JPA class is not a ‘training’ class, but is an exciting ‘information’ class, a behind-the-scenes look at the Beckley Police Department.”
By participating in the academy, children will be provided with first-hand knowledge of police units and services. At the end of the week, participants should have a better understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of officers and the duties that they are tasked with on a regular basis.
The department hopes that students who choose to take part in the JPA become more supportive of their local police department and its officers, while also becoming better leaders within their own schools and communities.
The Junior Police Academy will be held in two separate summer sessions. The first will take place from June 7 to June 1, and the second from June 28 to July 2. Classes are limited to 30 students and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Registration to the academy will be accepted for children ages 11 to 14. Sixth, seventh, eighth and incoming ninth-grade students currently enrolled in BEST and Park Middle Schools or fifth graders currently enrolled in the feeder elementary schools may apply.
For more information about the 2021 Junior Police Academy, contact Sgt. J. Blume or Cpl. J. Wall by calling 304-256-1720 or by sending an email to jblume@beckleypd.com or jwall@beckleypd.com.