The Winchester Police Department (WPD) will reprise its popular children’s program for ages 5-8, the Junior Academy, with three dates in 2020. Session dates, with their respective registration dates, are as follows:
- April 25, 2020 (register March 25, 2020)
- July 25, 2020 (register June 25, 2020)
- September 26, 2020 (register August 26, 2020)
At each session, participants will experience what it’s like to be a new officer recruit and learn about the law enforcement activities of the WPD. They will explore physical testing (obstacle course), self-defense, solving a crime, traffic stops, calling 911, animal control, and much more in a fun and age-appropriate way. Once they’ve completed their “training,” they will attend a graduation ceremony and take an oath to be great junior officers for their family and community.
“The Junior Academy is such a fun way for Winchester’s youth to learn about who we are and what we do as police officers,” stated Officer Katlynn Slonaker, program lead for the Junior Academy. “It’s also exciting to see the children who participated in the Junior Academy, our ‘graduates,’ at other community events. It’s obvious that we have made a positive impact and created friendships with them.”
Detailed information about the program as well as a link to the online application can be found online atwww.winchesterpolice.org/get-involved/junior-citizen-police-academy. Applications for the aforementioned sessions will go live on the listed registration dates and remain active until 24 applications per session have been received (sessions are limited to 24 applicants).