With protests continuing nationwide over the killing of suspects by law enforcement officers, the Tallahassee Police Department is reaching out to local teenagers.
Middle and high school students in Leon County and surrounding areas are being recruited for a new program that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the department, said spokesman David Northway.
“Unfortunately at times there are rules and laws that we have to enforce and that’s where the miseducation comes out and hopefully this will be an opportunity for us to reach out and touch the youth of Tallahassee.”
The Youth Citizens’ Police Academy begins next month and offers six weekly classes. Teenagers from 13 to 17 get instructions in police procedures, including traffic enforcement and routine patrols.
Participants must have at least a 2.0 grade point average and pass a background check.
