"This is a way of maintaining contact with them," Lee said. "We try to forge those relationships. Hopefully, these kids [in the program] can be a good voice for us and also a wealth of information. It helps lower barriers. The culture these days, there's a negative connotation about talking to police, 'Don't Snitch' and things like that. But after going through a program like this and hanging out with us all summer, they find out we're not so bad. We're trying to change a perception."
The Youth Police Academy is the middle step in an initiative to build relationships between youth and police. The first is the department's PLEDGE camp for those going into ninth grade, the name being an acronym for "pride, leadership, education, diversity, gang resistance and evaluation." There is also the year-round Explorers program for 14- to 18-year-olds. At 18, those with an interest in law enforcement careers can become cadets.
"I've always kind of wanted to be a police officer," Jones said. "I love to help people, that's one of my favorite things to do. I think I communicate well."
Jones says that the police training has been educational.
"It taught me a lot more about what cops do and everything," Jones said.
Irwin learned about the Youth Police Academy when Lee spoke during one of his classes last fall.
It has not been exactly what Irwin expected.
"I thought there'd be a lot less of the actual classroom learning. It's not a negative; just different," Irwin said. "But it's been a blast, all the skills they've provided. I'm learning a lot."
Sara Thacker, a 15-year-old rising junior at River Hill High School, says that she is "open" about what type of career she wants to pursue, but that the past week has given her another option.
"It's been a really good experience," said Thacker, one of six girls in the inaugural program. "I never knew this much about police officers and how they work."
Lee said that the attitude of the campers evolved quickly throughout the week, which culminated Friday night with a graduation ceremony.
After struggling to get out of their cots for a 5:30 a.m. wake-up in order to be ready for light calisthenics and a jog at 6 the first day, they were in uniform and ready to go at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Throughout the county, others do what teens do best during summer - sleep.
