The Lafayette Police Department will be hosting a Junior Police Academy on July 29th, 30th, and 31st. This academy is for ages 12 to 14. All applicants must be Tippecanoe County residents and should have an interest in law enforcement or community service. The Junior Police Academy program allows children to participate in activities that instill a sense of community pride, self-discipline, and leadership ability in an overall positive environment. The goals of the academy are to enhance responsible citizenship, create positive interaction with police officers, and to educate young people about the challenges and responsibilities of police work.
Children will be exposed to various aspects of law enforcement including, but not limited to: Crime Scene Investigation, K9 Unit, Defensive/Physical tactics, SWAT, and Criminal Investigations. Children will be under constant supervision by police personnel. This is not intended to be a behavioral modification camp. Attending children should have an interest in Law Enforcement as a future career endeavor.
The academy runs from 8am to 3pm each day, and will be held at the Lafayette Police Training Center. Graduation will take place at 3pm on July 31st and parents will be able to attend. Cost of the Junior Police Academy will be $25. This includes a t-shirt, daily lunch, snacks, and a graduation certificate. Transportation to and from the Academy is the responsibility of the recruit’s parent or guardian. If a child has food allergies, parents are requested to pack a lunch for them and provide necessary snacks for breaks given throughout the day.
The class will be limited to 30 participants. Parents will also need to complete a waiver before their children can participate.